SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 51 



enclosed with walls and furnished with variety 

 of game, in which he frequently sported. One 

 of these woods was upon an island in the lake, 

 known at present, among the Spaniards, by 

 the name of Pinon. 



" Of all these palaces, gardens, and woods, 

 there is now remaining the wood of Cha- 

 poltepec only, which the Spanish Viceroys 

 have preserved for their pleasure. All the 

 others were destroyed by the conquerors. 

 They laid in ruins the most magnificent 

 buildings of antiquity, sometimes from an 

 indiscreet zeal for religion, sometimes in 

 revenge, or to make use of their materials. 

 They neglected the cultivation of the royal 

 gardens, cut down the woods, and reduced 

 the country to such a state, that the mag- 

 nificence of its former kings could not now 

 find belief, were it not confirmed by the 

 testimony of those who were the causes of its 

 annihilation. 



e 2 



