234 
MEXICO. 
BATH OF MONTEZUMA. 
It will be observed in the drawing, that the rock is smoothed to a perfect 
level for several yards, around which, seats and grooves are carved 
from the adjacent masses. In the centre there is a circular sink, about 
a yard and a half in diameter, and a yard in depth, and a square pipe, 
with a small aperture, led the water from an aqueduct, which appears to 
terminate in this basin. None of the. stones have heen joined with cement, 
but the whole was chiselled from the mountain rock. 
The origin and purpose of this work are entirely unknown. The view 
from it is secluded and picturesque, over a small glimpse of plain seen 
through a frame-work of narrow and shadowy valley ; — but, (as Latrobe 
says,) " As to being Montezuma's Bath — it might have been his/oo<-bath, 
if you will — but it would be an impossibility for any monarch, of larger 
dimensions than Oberon, to take a duck in it !" 
Such, however, is the extent of general Mexican antiquarianism ; their 
knowledge of history reaches to the reign of the last monarch but one of 
the ancient Empire, and if a monument or an idol is not referable to 
