54 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



ed it, is an arched gateway, remarkable for its beau- 

 ty of proportions and grace of ornament. The 

 plate opposite represents this gateway. On the 

 right, running off at an angle of thirty degrees, is a 

 long building much fallen, which could not be com- 

 prehended in the view. On the left it forms an an- 

 gle with another building, and on the return of the 

 w^all there is a doorway, not shown in the engra- 

 ving, of good proportions, and more richly ornament- 

 ed than any other portion of the structure. The 

 effect of the whole combination was curious and 

 striking, and, familiar as we were with ruins, the 

 first view, with the great wall towering in front, 

 created an impression that is not easily described. 



The gateway is ten feet wide, passing through 

 which we entered a thick forest, growing so close 

 upon the building that we were unable to make out 

 even its shape ; but, on clearing away the trees, we 

 discovered that this had been the principal front, 

 and that these trees were growing in what had once 

 been the area, or courtyard. The doors of the 

 apartments on both sides of the gateway, each 

 twelve feet by eight, opened upon this area. Over 

 each doorway was a square recess, in which were 

 the remains of a rich ornament in stucco, with 

 marks of paint still visible, apparently intended to 

 represent the face of the sun surrounded by its rays, 

 probably once objects of adoration and worship, 



