120 



SIX MONTHS IN MKXT€0. 



such as is represented in ancient pictures to 

 have been used by the kings. There are 

 steps to descend into the basin or bath ; the 

 whole is cut out of the living porphyry rock 

 with the most mathematical precision, and 

 polished in the most beautiful manner. This 

 bath commands one of the finest prospects 

 in the Mexican valley, including the greater 

 part of the lake of Tezcuoo, and the city of 

 Mexico, from which it is distant about thirty 

 miles. 



Night was fast approaching, and the sky 

 portending a thunder-storm, we were obliged 

 to depart. I had now occasion to regret the 

 hours I had unprofitably spent at the cock- 

 fight, having scarcely time to make a hurried 

 sketch for a model, and for my son to take 

 a slight drawing, when we were reluctantly 

 forced to quit a spot of such peculiar interest, 

 which had been the site of a most singular 

 and ancient residence of the former monarchs 



