232 



TOWNS. 



The capital town of Tlascala is situated between two moun- 

 tains, in 19° 16' of north latitude, and 58' east longitude from 

 Mexico, near the only stream of importance in the territory, known 

 as the Rio Atoyac or Papagallo, under which name it passes through 

 the State of Puebla on its way to the Pacific. The ancient numer- 

 ous population of Tlascala is no longer found within its limits, and 

 perhaps not more than four or five thousand individuals now inhabit 

 it. But the town is nevertheless handsome ; — -its streets are regular ; 

 its private houses, town hall, bishop's palace and principal church 

 are built in a style of tasteful architecture, while on the remains 

 of the chief Teocalli of the ancient Tlascalans, a Franciscan con- 

 vent has been built, which is perhaps one of the earliest ecclesiastical 

 edifices in the republic. In the town itself and in its vicinity many 

 relics and ruins of the past glory of Tlascala are still found by anti- 

 quarians, but they have hitherto been undisturbed by foreign visiters 

 and remain unnoticed by the natives. Huamantla and Tlaxco are the 

 chief towns or villages in the partidos which bear their names. 



