SIX MONTHS IN T MEXICO. 



81 



than its profile can be seen. It is only from 

 the top of its cathedral, or from its grand 

 streets, crossing each other at right angles, 

 that an estimate of the size and splendour of 

 Mexico can be made. We now ascended by 

 a tolerable road for nearly ten miles to an 

 hacienda, where we stopped to dine, the road 

 to it affording nothing very interesting, and 

 in some places appearing barren and burnt 

 up. At this spot rises the fine stream of 

 water which forms the principal supply for 

 the capital, to which it is carried, at great 

 cost, by means of an aqueduct. We con- 

 tinued to ascend till within a short distance 

 of Lerma, when (having crossed the moun- 

 tains that surround the valley of Mexico), 

 we descended into the plain or valley in 

 which that place and the city of Tolluca 

 stand. On reaching the town we found the 

 entrance closed for the night, but after some 

 detention procured admission from the go*. 



VOL. II. G 



