LETTER VI. 
THE PYRAMID OF CHOLTTLA. 
Three leagues westwardly from the city of Puebia lie the remains of 
the ancient Indian Pyramid of Cholula, and you reach them by a pleas- 
ant morning ride over the plain. 
This is one of the most remarkable relics of the Aborigines on the Con- 
tinent ; for, although it was constructed only of the adobes, or common 
sun-dried bricks, it still remains in sufficient distinctness to strike every 
observer with wonder at the enterprise of its Indian builders. What it 
was intended for, whether tomb or temple, no one has determined with 
certainty, though the wisest antiquarians nave been guessing since the 
conquest. In the midst of a plain the Indians erected a mountain. The 
base still remains to give us its dimensions ; but what was its original 
height 1 Was it the tomb of some mighty lord, or sovereign prince ; or 
was it alone a place of sacrifice ? 
Many years ago, in cutting a new road toward Puebia from Mexico, it 
became necessary to cross a portion of the base of this pyramid. The 
excavation laid bare a square chamber, built of stone, the roof of which 
was sustained by cypress beams. In it were found some idols of basalt, 
a number of painted vases, and the remains of two bodies. No care was 
taken of these relics by the discoverers, and they are lost to us for ever. 
Approaching the pyramid from the east, it appears so broken and 
overgrown with trees that it is difficult to make out any outline distinctly. 
The view from the west, however, which I have given on the opposite 
page, will convey to you some idea of this massive monument as it rises 
in solitary grandeur from the midst of the wide-spreading plain. A well- 
paved road, cut by the old Spaniards, ascends from the northwest corner, 
with steps at regular intervals, obliquing first on the west side to the upper 
bench of the terrace, and thence returning toward the same side until it 
is met by a steep flight rising to the front of the small, dome-crowned 
chapel, surrounded with its grove of cypress, and dedicated to the Virgin 
of Remedios. 
The summit is perfectly level and protected by a parapet wall, whence 
a magnificent view extends on every side over the level valley. What- 
ever this edifice may have been, the idea of thus attaining permanently 
an elevation to which the people might resort for prayer — or even for 
parade or amusement — was a sublime conception, and entitles the men 
who centuries ago patiently erected the lofty pyramid, to the respect of 
