THE ROYAL CHAPEL. 



319 



transversely. These are called subterraneous apart- 

 ments ; but there are windows opening from them above 

 the ground, and, in fact, they are merely a ground-floor 

 below the pavement of the corridors. In most parts, 

 however, they are so dark that it is necessary to visit 

 them with candles. There are no bas-reliefs or stucco 

 ornaments ; and the only objects which our guide point- 

 ed out or which attracted our attention, were several 

 stone tables, one crossing and blocking up the corridor, 

 about eight feet long, four wide, and three high. One 

 of these lower corridors had a door opening upon the 

 back part of the terrace, and we generally passed 

 through it with a candle to get to the other buildings. 

 In two other places there were flights of steps leading 

 to corridors above. Probably these were sleeping 

 apartments. 



In that part of the plan marked Room No. 1, the 

 walls were more richly decorated with stucco ornaments 

 than any other in the palace ; but, unfortunately, they 

 were much mutilated. On each side of the doorway 

 was a stucco figure, one of which, being the most per- 

 fect, is given in the engraving opposite. Near it is an 

 apartment in which is marked " small altar." It was 

 richly ornamented, like those which will be hereafter 

 referred to in other buildings ; and from the appearance 

 of the back wall we supposed there had been stone tab- 

 lets. In our utter ignorance of the habits of the people 

 who had formerly occupied this building, it was impos- 

 sible to form any conjecture for what uses these differ- 

 ent apartments were intended ; but if we are right in 

 calling it a palace, the name which the Indians give 

 it, it seems probable that the part surrounding the court- 

 yards was for public and state occasions, and that the 

 rest was occupied as the place of residence of the royal 



