iv PREFACE. 



their facades covered with sculptured ornaments, al- 

 ready cracked and yawning, must fall, and become 

 mere shapeless mounds. It has been the fortune 

 of the author to step between them and the entire 

 destruction to which they are destined ; and it is his 

 hope to snatch from oblivion these perishing, but 

 still gigantic memorials of a mysterious people. 

 The descriptions are accompanied by full illustra- 

 tions from Daguerreotype views and drawings taken 

 on the spot by Mr. Catherwood, and the engravings 

 were executed under his personal superintendence. 



