120 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



or barrack, built by the young caique of 

 Tezcuco for Cortez, still entire, surrounded 

 by a wall twenty feet high, on the top of 

 which the traces of the walks of the Spanish 

 centinels are distinctly visible ; and we were 

 shown a recess in the wall built for the cele- 

 bration of mass. After passing the fine aque- 

 duct, and several tumuli, (pyramids of un- 

 burnt bricks), our guide conducted us to the 

 site of the palace of the ancient caiques, or 

 tributary kings of Tezcuco. It must have 

 been a noble building, far surpassing any idea 

 I had formed of the architectural abilities of 

 the aboriginal Americans. It extended three 

 hundred feet, forming one side of the great 

 square, and was placed on sloping terraces, 

 raised one above the other by small steps: 

 some of these terraces are still entire, and 

 covered with cement, very hard, and equal in 

 beauty to that found in ancient Roman build- 

 ings, From what is known of the extensive 



