SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



81 



great pyramid of Egypt; but the work of 

 man, when standing in comparison with the 

 surrounding pyramids of nature, whose tops 

 are covered with eternal snow, dwindles into 

 insignificance. The labour of ascending the 

 Cathedral tower is amply repaid by the view 

 of this regular and beautiful city, the founda- 

 tions of which were laid by the Spaniards in 

 1533. It now contains about 90,000 in- 

 habitants, many of whom are wealthy, and 

 live in good style. It is from the splendour 

 of its churches, and other religious edifices, 

 and in the richness of their endowments, that 

 Puebla must take the first rank in the 

 Christian world. In the profuse ornaments 

 of the altars, the sacred vessels and vestments, 

 the expensive carving and gilding of the 

 interior of the churches — in the pompous 

 religious processions and other ceremonies, it 

 yields to no city in America or Europe. The 

 antiquarian will here feel a peculiar gratifica- 



VOL. i. G 



