THE PYRAMIDS. 



149 



Innumerable groups or " systems" of small pyramid- 

 ical tumuli are disposed, at a greater or less distance, on 

 either side of this great road, which may be distinguished 

 bearing away for miles across the broad plain, towards 

 the mountains in the direction of the remarkable hill of 

 Tezcozingo. Is not this properly the Micoatl, or Path 

 of the Dead? 



Look where you will on the great level at your feet, 

 you see innumerable shapeless heaps and swells which 

 mark the accumulation of artificial rubbish. Who shall 

 say but this wide field affords a grave to millions ? 



To the eastward, at the distance of some miles, rises 

 the inconsiderable ridge which divides the valley of San 

 Juan Teotihuacan from the plains of Otumba; and west- 

 ward, the eye rests upon the pretty groves and churches 

 of the town, and the neighbouring villages, backed by 

 the expanding vista, where the valley opens upon the 

 blue waters of Lake Tezcuco, and the main valley of 

 Mexico, with the double range of noble mountains in the 

 background. A glorious view, truly, both for extent, col- 

 ouring, and interest ! 



In a locality like this, the features of which I have been 

 attempting to describe ; surrounded by monuments whose 

 history has eluded the most patient researches hitherto, 

 the mind is naturally disposed to speculation. It matters 

 little that the origin of the objects around you is hidden 

 in the impenetrable mist of past ages ; that their design 

 and appropriation has alternately occupied and baffled 

 the wits of far wiser than yourself; that the most labo- 

 rious collation of evidence has only brought to light iso- 

 lated and uncertain items of intelligence with respect to 

 them — speculate you must. 



You need not be reminded that our range of know- 

 ledge as Europeans, with regard to the history of this 

 vast continent, and this portion of it in particular, only 

 extends over a space of a little more than three centu- 

 ries. From this period, tracing time towards its begin- 

 ning, the vague chronicles of the aborigines at the date 



