PAINTED FACADES. 



307 



The engraving opposite represents the southeast 

 corner of this building. The angle exhibits the 

 great face before presented, with the stone curving 

 upward at the projecting end. On each side is a 

 succession of compartments, alternately plain, and 

 presenting the form of diamond lattice-work. In 

 both there is an agreeable succession of plain and 

 ornamented, and, in fact, it would be difficult, in 

 arranging four sides facing a courtyard, to have 

 more variety, and at the same time more harmony 

 of ornament. All these facades were painted ; the 

 traces of the colour are still visible, and the reader 

 may imagine what the effect must have been when 

 all this building was entire, and according to its 

 supposed design, in its now desolate doorways 

 stood noble Maya maidens, like the vestal virgins 

 of the Romans, to cherish and keep alive the sa- 

 cred fire burning in the temples. 



I omit a description of the apartments opening 

 upon this courtyard. We made plans of all of them, 

 but they are generally much alike, except in the di- 

 mensions. The number in all is eighty-eight. 



In the range last presented, however, there is one 

 suite different from all the rest. The entrance to 

 this suite is by the centre and principal doorway, 



