112 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



was bounded by the blue mountains, in the 

 midst of which arose the gigantic Orizaba, 

 and the majestic snow-crowned Pepocatapetl. 

 After enjoying this delightful scene as long 

 as our time would conveniently permit, we 

 visited the neat place of worship, built in the 

 shape of a cross, and kept remarkably clean. 

 Its silver and gilt ornaments were surrounded 

 by a fine display of living flowers, (amongst 

 which the carnations were the finest I had 

 ever seen), the peace-offerings of the poor 

 Indians, by whom the place was crowded, as 

 mass was celebrating at the time. The fer- 

 vent piety and decent behaviour of this little 

 congregation would have formed a striking 

 contrast with the gaily dressed bustling as- 

 semblages in some of the churches of France 

 and Italy. Before the building are two 

 noble cypress trees, of great size and an- 

 tiquity ; at the top of the steps of the en- 

 trance is a richly sculptured cross, of stone, 



