130 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



I have since regretted that I did not cause it 

 to be opened, as it might have thrown some 

 light on the obscure history of these common 

 but extraordinary Aztec erections. Some of 

 them as a mere matter of speculation, might 

 amply repay the trouble and expense, as 

 Bernal Dias, and other writers, positively 

 assert that many of them contained con- 

 siderable treasure. 



On entering the village we were met by 

 some Indians, who, on being informed of the 

 object of our visit, kindly undertook to show 

 us the antiquities of the place. They first 

 pointed out the foundation of a palace, in 

 which two large reservoirs of water still re- 

 mained, tolerably perfect ; one of these, 

 covered with rose-coloured cement, is entire : 

 we were then conducted through the town,^ 

 which is mostly in ruins, consisting of build- 

 ings nearly demolished, in which the Indian 

 and Spanish architecture were so blended, as to 



