148 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



room for exercise; whilst the various sub- 

 jects delineated on its walls would furnish 

 to them varied topics for contemplation and 

 study. 



In the paved yard or court in front of the 

 church we were shown a large flat stone, with 

 a square hole in its centre, where, my in- 

 formant told me, was fixed the stake to which 

 the victims of the inquisition were formerly 

 fastened, previously to their being burnt. 

 This tribunal was, till its abolition by the 

 Ex-Emperor in 1820, under the jurisdiction 

 of the Dominicans. 



The Palace of the Inquisition is on the op- 

 posite side of the street, and near the place of 

 execution. In this house persons accused of 

 ecclesiastical crimes were confined. I had 

 been told, previously to my arrival in Mexico, 

 of its horrible subterraneous cells, in which the 

 wretched captives were imprisoned ; but this 

 must evidently have been an exaggeration, as 



