SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 149 



no subterraneous places ever existed in the city 

 of Mexico, nor ever can exist, for wherever 

 the ground is opened, even but for the depth 

 of a few feet, water instantly springs up. 

 In the great square, whilst I was digging for 

 the purpose of taking a cast of the sacrificial 

 stone, we were obliged, at only three feet in 

 depth, to employ persons constantly to lade out 

 the water. This palace is very elegant, and ex- 

 hibits little or no appearance of the purposes 

 for which it was intended. It was occupied 

 as a polytechnical school at the time I was in 

 the city, but was then on sale. 



The monastery of the Professa is also well 

 worthy the attention of strangers: — the fitting 

 up of its elegant church is in a more modern 

 style than the others, and its appearance is 

 as fresh and brilliant as at the hour it was 

 first finished. When lighted up on particular 

 or grand occasions, the profusion of its superb 

 silver and gilt chandeliers, and massive can- 



