the same object as the Tennis-court in the city of Mexico, as thus described by Herrera. The temples are at hand in which sacrifices were offered, and we discover in this, something more important than the mere determining of the character of a building; for in the similarity of diversions we see a resemblance in manners and institutions, and trace an affinity between the people who erected the ruined cities of Yucatan, and those who inhabited Mexico at the SCULPTURES AND PAINTINGS. Among the ruins of Chichen-Itza is to be seen the following extraordinary edifice; namely, two immense paral-time of the conquest. lel walls, each 274 feet long, 30 feet thick, and 120 feet apart. One hundred feet from the northern extremity, facing the open space between the walls, stands on an elevation a building 35 feet long, containing a single chamber, with the front fallen, and, rising among the rubbish, the remains of two columns, elaborately ornamented with sculpture. The whole interior wall is covered from the floor to the peak of the arch with sculptured figures in basrelief, much worn and faded. In the centre of the great stone walls, exactly opposite each other, and at the height of 20 feet from the ground, are two massive stone rings, 4 feet in diameter, and I foot 1 inch thick; the diameter of the hole is 1 foot 7 inches. On the rim and border were two sculptured entwined serpents. The parallel structures supporting the rings were probably intended for the celebration of some public games. The following account of the diversions of Montezuma, (the Emperor of Mexico at the time of its conquest,) is given by Herrera, and illustrates these remains. "The king took much delight in seeing sport at ball, which the Spaniards have since prohibited, because of the mischief that often happened at it, and was by them called Tlachtli, being like our tennis. The ball was made of the gum of a tree that grows in hot countries, which, having holes made in it, distils great drops, that soon harden, and being worked and moulded together, turn as black as pitch*. The balls made thereof, tho' hard and heavy to the hand, did bound and fly as well as our foot-balls; nor did they use chases, but vy'd to drive the adverse party that is to hit the wall, the others were to make good, or strike it over: They struck it with any part of their body, as it hapned, or they could most conveniently; and sometimes he lost that touched it with any other part but his hip, which was looked upon among them as the greatest dexterity; and to this effect, that the ball might rebound the better, they fastned a piece of stiff leather on their hips. They play'd in parties, so many on a side, for a load of mantles, or what the gamesters could afford, at so many scores. They also play'd for gold, and feather-work, and sometimes play'd themselves away, as has been said before. The place where they play'd was a ground-room, long, narrow, and high, but wider above than below, and higher on the sides than at the ends, and they kept it very well plaster'd and smooth, both the walls and the floor. On the side walls they fix'd certain stones, like those of a mill, with a hole quite through the middle, just as big as the ball, and he that could strike it through there won the game. And in token of its being an extraordinary success, which rarely hapned, he had a right to the cloaks of all the lookers-on, by ancient custom, and law amongst gamesters; and it was very pleasant to see, that as soon as ever the ball was in the hole, the standersby took to their heels, running away with all their might to save their cloaks, laughing and rejoicing, others scouring after them to secure their cloaks for the winner, who was oblig'd to offer some sacrifice to the Idol of the Tennis court, and the stone through whose hole the ball had pass'd. Every tennis-court was a Temple, having two Idols, the one of Gaming, and the other of the ball. On a lucky day, at midnight, they perform'd certain ceremonies and enchantments on the two inner walls, and on the midst of the floor, singing certain songs, or ballads; after which a priest of the great temple went with some of the religious men to bless it; he uttered some words, threw the ball about the tenniscourt four times, and then it was consecrated, and might be play'd in, but not before. The owner of the tennis court, who was always a lord, never play'd without making some offering and performing certain ceremonies to the idol of gaming, which shows how superstitious they were, since they had such regard to their idols, even in their diversions. Montezuma carry'd the Spaniards to this sport, and was well pleas'd to see them play at it, as also at cards and dice." With some slight variation in detail, the general features are so identical as to leave no doubt on the mind that the so-called Gymnasium of Chichen was erected for precisely * Undoubtedly caoutchouc, or India-rubber. At the southern extremity of the eastern wall of the building, one of which is in a state of good preservation, Gymnasium of Chichen are the remains of two ranges of simple and tasteful in its arrangement of ornaments. Under an upper cornice is sculptured a procession of tigers or lynxes. From its lofty position, with trees growing around it and on the roof, the effect is beautifully picturesque; but, upon other considerations, it may be considered one of the most interesting structures in Yucatan. The range which is in the most ruinous condition contains two broken columns covered with sculptured figures. chamber covered from one end to the other with elaborately The front wall had fallen, and exposed the interior of a sculptured figures in bas-relief. Exposed for ages to a long succession of winds and rains, the characters were faded and worn. The head-dress of the human figures is, as usual in the upper row each person carries a bundle of spears, or a amongst the ruins of the country, a plume of feathers, and quiver of arrows. All these representations were painted. In the most perfect building, of the two above-mentioned, Mr. Stevens found what he considers the greatest gem of aboriginal art that he met with during his investigations. destroyed, and it was only reached by clambering over proThe steps, or other means of access to this structure, were miscuous heaps of ruins. The door opens upon the platform of the wall which overlooks the Tennis court, or Gymnasium. The front corridor was supported by massive pillars, portions of which still remain covered with elaborate sculptured ornaments. The lintel of the inner doorway is richly carved. Entering an inner chamber, its walls and ceiling are found to be covered, from the floor to the peak of the colours, human figures, battles, houses, trees, and scenes of arch with designs in painting, representing, in brilliant domestic life. On one spot was the conspicuous drawing of a large canoe, but the whole is much disfigured. In some places the plaster is broken off: while in others wilful injury had evidently been done to these remains. The colours were green, yellow, red, blue, and a reddish-brown, the last being invariably the colour given to human flesh. The outlines exhibit a freedom of drawing which could only be the result of discipline and training under masters. them as mere specimens of art; for among them are seen "But they have a higher interest than any that attaches to designs and figures which call forcibly to mind the wellknown picture-writings of the Mexicans; and if these analogies are sustained by future observations, this building attached to the walls of the Tennis-court stands an unimpeachable witness that the people who inhabited Mexico, at the time of the conquest, belonged to the same great race which furnished the builders of the ruined cities in Yucatan."-STEVENS. At Kewick, which lies a little southward of Zabnà, Mr. Stevens had observed a curious painting of a rude human figure surrounded by hieroglyphics, which doubtless contain the whole of its story. The colours were bright; red and green predominating. The painting covered the whole surface of a stone, which, however, occupied a very obscure corner of a building. The apartment in which it was found had nothing to distinguish it from others, and why this particular stone was so adorned our traveller was unable to discover. Nearly every other house at Kewick had fallen. "One long ornamented façade lay on the ground cracked and doubled up, as if shaken off by the vibrations of an earthquake, and still struggling to retain its upright position, the whole presenting a most pictumind a strong image of the besom of destruction sweeping resque and imposing scene of ruins, and conveying to the over a city." There is an arch near Xul, which place is not far northeast of Kewick, that had been plastered and covered inside with painted figures in profile. These are now much mutilated, but the remaining traces remind one of the funeral processions on the walls of the tombs at Thebes, in Egypt. This arch had once formed the sides and walls of a chamber, and on the wall which still closes it at one end, Mr. Stevens observed the representations of human figures in colours, some having their heads adorned with plumes, others with a sort of steeple cap, and carrying on their heads something like a basket. Two of them were standing on their hands with their heels in the air. These figures were about a foot in height, and painted red. The drawing was good, and the attitudes spirited and life-like. "Another apartment had been plastered and covered with paintings, the colours of which were in some places still vivid. Here we cornered and killed a snake five feet long, and as I threw it out at the door a strong picture rose up before me of the terrific scenes whieh must have been enacted in this region; the cries of woe which must have ascended to Heaven when these sculptured and painted edifices were abandoned to become the dwelling-place of vultures and serpents."--STEVENS. THE CASTILLO OF CHICHEN. trees, and counted three hundred and eighty, and there were many more. They were too low to have supported a roof under which persons could walk. The idea at times presented itself that they had upheld a raised walk of cement, but there were no remains visible. They inclose an area nearly 400 feet square; and, incomprehensible as they are with regard to their uses and object, add largely to the interest and wonder connected with these ruins. The ruins of Chichen are situated upon a plain of several miles in circumference, nearly in the centre of Yucatan, upwards of 100 miles from the sea, and remote from all water-communication. The buildings which are in the most perfect state of preservation are the Monjas, the Caracol, Gymnasium, and Castillo, all above described. These, and other erections, were raised upon foundations of rubble, imbedded in mortar, and held together by finished walls of fine concrete-limestone. The walls of the buildings rise perpendicularly, generally to one-half, where they are interrupted by entablatures; above which, to the cornice, At a distance of 500 feet from the painted chamber at the façades are divided into compartments, elaborately Chichen rises the Castillo, the grandest object that towers ornamented with sculptured stone-work over a diamond above the plain. Every Sunday its ruins are resorted to by lattice-ground, illustrated with hieroglyphics. The whole the neighbouring villagers, and nothing can surpass the is interspersed with chaste and unique borders, executed picturesque appearance of this lofty building, while women, with the greatest possible skill and precision. The stones dressed in white, with red shawls, are moving along the are cut, in general, about 12 inches in length, and 6 in platform, and passing over its broken thresholds. The breadth; the interstices being filled up with the same mound measures at the base, on the north and south sides, material that forms the foundation and terraces, namely, 197 feet, and on the east and west sides, 202 feet. "It does rubble, imbedded in mortar. not exactly face the cardinal points, though probably so intended; and in all the buildings, from some cause not casily accounted for, while one varies 10° one way, that immediately adjoining varies 12 or 13° in another. It is built up apparently solid from the plain to the height of 75 feet. On the west side is a staircase 35 feet wide, and on the north is another staircase 44 feet in width, which contains ninety steps. On the ground, at the foot of this staircase, forming a bold, striking, and well-conceived commencement to this lofty range, are two colossal serpents' heads, 10 feet in length, with mouths wide open, and tongues protruding. No doubt they were emblematic of some religious belief, and in the minds of an imaginative people, passing between them to ascend the steps, must have excited feelings of solemn awe." The platform on the top measures 61 feet from north to south, and 64 from east to west. The building which surmounts it is 43 feet by 49; it has single doorways, facing the east, south, and west, with massive lintels covered with elaborate carvings, and the jambs are ornamented with sculptured figures. The sculpture is much worn, but a head-dress with a plume of feathers, and other portions of rich attire, are still distinct. The face, also, is well-preserved, and possesses a dignified appearance. It has earrings, and the nose is bored, which, according to historical accounts, was so prevalent a custom in Yucatan, that long after the conquest the Spaniards passed laws for its pro hibition. All the other jambs are decorated with sculpture of the same general character, and open into a corridor extending round three sides of the building. The doorway which faces the north presents the grandest appearance. It is 20 feet wide, and is supported by two short massive columns entirely covered with elaborate sculpture. This doorway gives access to a corridor which leads to an apartment 17 feet high. Within the chamber are two square pillars (see the engraving of this interior) 9 feet 4 inches high, having sculptured figures on all their sides, and supporting massive sapote beams covered with carving of curious and intricate designs. These were so defaced and time-worn, that, in the obscurity of the room, lighted only from the door, it was difficult to make out what subjects they represented. Stepping out upon the platform, an immense field of ruins is displayed, and here Mr. Stevens saw, for the first time, groups of small columns, which, on examination, proved to be among the most remarkable and unintelligible of the remains. These stand in rows of three, four, and five abreast; they are very low, many of them only 3 feet high, while the highest were not more than 6 feet, and consisted of several separate pieces, like millstones. Many of them nad fallen, and in some places they lie prostrate in rows, all in the same direction, as if thrown down by some force, like that of an earthquake, coming from a given point. In some places they extended to the bases of large mounds, on which were ruins of buildings and colossal fragments of sculpture, while in others they branched off and terminated tbruptly. Mr. Stevens caused them to be cleared from "The height of these buildings is, for the most part, 20, and rarely above 25 feet. They are limited almost universally to one story, are long and narrow, without windows, receiving no other light than that which passes through the doorway. The ceilings are built in the form of an acute-angled arch by layers of flat stones, the edges being bevilled, and carried up to the apex, upon which rests a stone that serves as a key. "The interior of some of the most important rooms is finished with a beautiful white composition laid on with the greatest skill. The floors are covered with a hard cement, which shows marks of wear. The doorways are nearly a square of about seven feet, somewhat resembling the Egyptian; the sides of which are formed of large blocks of hewn stone. Stone rings, and holes at the sides of the doorways, indicate that doors once swung upon them."NORMAN. The words Chi-chen signify the mouths of wells, in allusion to two natural springs which are still to be recognised in the vicinity. PAVED ROADS. It One of the most interesting monuments of the ancient civilization of Yucatan lies near the city of Uxmal. is a broken platform or road of stone, about 8 feet wide, and 8 or 10 inches high, crossing the modern road, and running off into the woods on both sides. It is called by the Indians, Sacbey, which means, in the Maya language, paved road of white stone. The Indians say it traversed the country from Kabah to Uxmal, and that on it couriers travelled, bearing letters to and from the lords of those cities, written on leaves or the bark of trees. It is also said that there is a calzada, or paved road, of 10 or 12 yards in width, running to the south-east from near Chemax, in the district of Valladolid; but the truth of this report Mr. Stevens had no opportunity of confirming. COZUMEL Is a desolate island, 30 miles long, lying upon the eastern shore of Yucatan, and so bound with coral reefs, that there are only certain places where it is practicable for a boat to land. On the outer reef Mr. Stevens saw the wreck of a brig, her naked ribs above water, and the fate of her mariners no one knew. The native name of the island is Cuzamil, signifying the Island of Swallows. It was discovered accidentally in 1518 by Juan de Grijalva. The following are extracts from the itinerary of his voyage, kept by the chaplain-in-chief of the fleet. "We came near the shore of Cuzamil, which we coasted; the sea is very deep upon the borders. The country appeared very agreeable. We counted fourteen towers. At sunset we saw a large white tower which appeared very high. We approached, and saw near it a multitude of Indians, men and women, who were looking at us, and remained until the fleet stopped within musket-shot of the tower. The Indians, who are very numerous in this island, made a great noise with their drums. "One hundred men embarked in the boats, and landed. They were accompanied by a priest, and expected to be attacked by a great number of Indians. They came to the tower, where they found no one. The ascent was by eighteen steps, the base was very massive and 180 feet in circumference. On the top rose a small tower of the height of two men placed one upon the other. Within were figures, bones, and idols that they adored. When the commandant was at the top of the tower with many of our people, an Indian, followed by three others, who kept the doors, put in the interior a vase of very odoriferous perfumes, which seemed of storax. This Indian was old; he burned many perfumes before the idols which were in the tower, and sang in a loud voice a song, which was always in the same tone. We supposed that he was invoking his idols. "These Indians carried our commandant with ten or twelve Spaniards, and gave them to eat in a hall constructed of stones very close together, and covered with straw. Before the hall was a large well, from which everybody drank. They then left us alone, and we entered the village, where all the houses were built of stone. Among others, we saw five very well made, and commanded by small towers. The base of these edifices is very large and massive; the building is very small at the top. They appeared to have been built a long time, but there are also modern ones. "The village, or bourg, was paved with stones. The streets, elevated at the sides, descended, inclining towards the middle, which was paved entirely with large stones. The sides were occupied by the houses of the inhabitants. They are constructed of stone from the foundation to half the height of the walls, and covered with straw. To judge by the edifices and houses, these Indians appear to be very ingenious; and if we had not seen a number of recent constructions, we should have thought that these buildings were the works of the Spaniards." In February, 1519, the armament of Cortez rendezvoused at this island. An eye-witness, Bernal Dias, says, "There was on the island of Cozumel a temple containing some hideous idols, to which all the Indians of the neighbouring districts used to go frequently in solemn procession. One morning the courts of this temple were filled with Indians, and curiosity having also drawn many of us thither, we found them burning odoriferous resins like our incense, and shortly after an old man in a large loose mantle ascended to the top of the temple, and harangued the multitude for a considerable time. Cortez, who was present, at length called an interpreter, to question him concerning the evil doctrines which the old man was delivering. He then summoned all the caciques and chief persons to come before him, and, as well as he could, by signs and interpretations, explained to them that the idols which they worshipped were not gods, but evil things, which would draw their souls down to hell, and that if they wished to remain in brotherly connexion with us, they must pull them down, and place in their stead the crucifix of our Lord, by whose assistance they would obtain good harvests and the salvation of their souls, with many other good and holy reasons which he expressed very well. The priests and chiefs replied that they worshipped these gods as their ancestors had done, because they were kind to them, and that if we attempted to molest them, the gods would convince us of their power by destroying us in the sea. Cortez then ordered the idols to be prostrated, which we immediately did, rolling them down many steps. He next sent for lime, of which there was abundance in the place, and Indian masons, by whom, under our direction, a very handsome altar was constructed, whereon we placed an image of the Holy Virgin, and the carpenters having made a crucifix, which was erected in a small chapel close to the altar, mass was said by the reverend father Juan Dias, and listened to by the priests, chiefs, and the rest of the natives with great attention." Later historians are more explicit, and speak of Cozumel as a place containing many adoratories and temples, as a principal sanctuary and place of pilgrimage, standing to Yucatan in the same relation as Rome to Papal countries. These accounts induced Mr. Stevens to visit Cozumel. He found that amid all the devastations which attended the progress of the Spaniards in America, none is more complete than that which has swept over this island. He discovered it to be entirely uninhabited, and so overgrown with trees, that except along the shore, or around some deserted hut, it was impossible to move in any direction without cutting a path. About 200 feet distant from the sea some vestiges of the ancient population first attracted observation. The ruin stands on a terrace, and has steps on all four of its sides. It measures 16 feet square; it had four doors facing the cardinal points. The exterior is of plain stone, but was formerly stuccoed and painted. The doorways open into a narrow corridor only 20 inches wide, which encompasses a small room 8 feet long, and 5 feet wide. South-south-east from this stands another small building, of the same general character, and these were the only structures that were discovered. The "towers" seen by Grijalva and his companions, as they sailed along the coast, were evidently the same kind of edifices as are here described by Mr. Stevens. THE RUINS OF TULOOM Stand upon the eastern shore of Yucutan, nearly opposite the island of Cozumel. Amid the wildest scenery, upon the natural pediment of a cliff, heightened by art with a gigantic but ruined staircase, is placed the Castillo. The steps, the platform of the building, and the whole area in front are overgrown with trees, the deep green foliage, and the mysterious edifices around, present an image of a grove, sacred to Druidical worship. To the exciting interest of a ruined city was added the magnificence of nature. The platform of the Castillo looks over an immense forest, and beyond the postern wall is spread the boundless ocean. Looking down from the cliff in fair weather and clear water, large fish, eight and ten feet long, may be seen gliding quietly in the depths below. "No words can convey the solemnity of the scene when the traveller's axe first broke the stillness that had so long prevailed around. The building, including the wings, measures at its base 100 feet in length. The grand staircase is 30 feet wide, with 24 steps, and a substantial balustrade on each side, still in good preservation, gives it an unusually imposing character. The doorway is obstructed with the gnarled roots of a lofty tree. "The wings are much lower than the principal building. The columns in the doorways are ornamented with devices in stucco, one of which seemed a masked face, and the other the head of a rabbit. "The back or sea-wall of the Castillo rises on the brink of a high, broken, and precipitous cliff, commanding a magnificent ocean view, and a picturesque line of coast, being itself visible from a great distance at sea. The wall is solid, and has no doorways or entrances of any kind, nor even a platform around it. "At evening, when the work of the day was ended, and our men returned to the hut, we sat down on the moulding of the wall, and regretted that the doorways of our lofty habitation had not opened upon the sea. Night, however, wrought a great change in our feelings. An easterly storm came on, and the rain beat heavily against the sea-wall. We were obliged to stop up the oblong openings that admitted air, and congratulated ourselves upon the wisdom of the ancient builders. The darkness, the howlings of the winds, and cracking of branches in the forest, and the dashing of angry waves against the cliff, gave a romantic interest to our occupation of this desolate dwelling."STEVENS. The forest-buried city of Tuloom was encompassed by a wall, which has resisted all the elements of destruction at work upon it, and is still erect and in good preservation. This massive stone structure is in the strictest sense a city wall, forming a parallelogram abutting on the sea, the high precipitous cliff constituting an impregnable seawall, 1500 feet in length. Trees growing beside the wall have thrown their branches across it; thorns, bushes, and vines of every description grow out of it, and the sharp spikes of the Agave Americana, or common American aloe, offer formidable barriers to the investigator. Rough, flat stones were laid upon each other without mortar cement of any kind, which form a wall varying in thick ness from 8 to 13 feet. The south side has two gateways, each about 5 feet wide. or "At the distance of 650 feet the wall turns at right angles, and runs parallel to the sea. At the angle is a watch-tower, elevated so as to give a commanding view, and reached by ascending a few steps. It is 12 feet square, and has two doorways. The interior is plain, and against the back wall is a small altar, at which the guard might offer up prayers for the preservation of the city. But no guard sits in the watch-tower now, trees are growing around it; within the walls the city is desolate and overgrown, and without is an unbroken forest. The battlements, on which the proud Indian strode with his bow and arrows, and plumes of feathers, are surmounted by immense thorn bushes and overrun by poisonous vines. The city no longer keeps watch; the fiat of destruction has gone out against it, and in solitude it rests, the abode of silence and desolation." It is Mr. Stevens' firm belief that the city of Tuloom continued to be occupied by its aboriginal inhabitants long after the conquest. The strong impression of a comparatively very recent occupation is derived from the appearance of the buildings themselves, which, though not less ruined, owing to the ranker growth of trees, have in some instances an appearance of freshness and good keeping that, amid the desolation and solitude around, was almost startling. THE CITY OF IZAMAL Is situated between Merida and Valladolid, 15 leagues from the former place. It was formerly considered only as a village; but has lately been raised into the rank of a city. There is, however, nothing of modern date to detain the eye from immense mounds of ancient construction that rise grandly above the tops of the houses. From these mounds the whole city, as it now stands, has been built, without seeming to diminish their colossal proportions, proclaiming the power of those who reared them, and destined, apparently, to stand when the feebler structures of their more civilized conquerors shall have crumbled into dust. One of these mounds, about 200 feet long, and 30 feet high, appeared to have had its vast sides covered from one end to the other with colossal ornaments in stucco, most of which had fallen, but amongst the fragments may be seen a gigantic human head, nearly 8 feet high, and 7 feet in width. A stone, 1 feet long, protrudes from the chin, intended, perhaps, for burning copal on, as a sort of altar. In sternness and harshness of expression, it reminded Mr. Stevens of the idols of Copan, drawings of which may be seen in the Saturday Magazine, Vol. XXI., pages 81. and 85, together with descriptions of these and other relics of Central America and Mexico. The immense proportions of that at Izamal correspond with the dimensions of the mound, and give an unusual impression of grandeur to the beholder. It Two or three streets distant from the plaza, or square, but visible in its gigantic features, is the most stupendous mound that Mr. Stevens had yet seen in Yucatan. measured between 600 and 700 feet long, 60 feet high, and had, beyond all doubt, interior chambers. 66 Turning from these memorials of former power to the depressed race that now lingers around them, the stranger might run wild with speculation and conjecture, but on the north side of the plaza is a monument that recalls his roving thoughts, and holds up to his gaze a leaf in history. It is the great church and convent of Franciscan monks, standing on an elevation, and giving a character to the plaza which no other in Yucatan possesses. Two flights of stone steps lead up to it, and the area upon which they open is probably 200 feet square; on three sides is a colonnade, forming a noble promenade, overlooking the city and the surrounding country to a great distance. This great elevation was evidently artificial, and not the work of the Spaniards." At the earliest period of the conquest we have accounts of the large aboriginal town of Izamal. In 1553, the padre Fr. Diego de Landa was elected guardian of the convent of Izamal, and charged to erect the building, the monks having lived until that time in houses of straw. He selected as the place for the foundation one of the cerros, or mounds, which then existed, "made by hand," and called by the natives, Phappholchac, "which," says the Padre Lizana, "signifies the habitation or residence of the priests of the gods. The place in which the priests of the idol lived, and which had been the place of abomination and idolatry, was selected that it might become the place of sanctification, where the ministers of the true God should offer sacrifices and adoration due to his Divine Majesty." This testimony proves beyond a doubt that these great mounds had been temples and idols, and the habitations of priests, in the actual use of the Indians who were found occupying the country at the time of the conquest; and dispels much of the mystery that hangs over the ruins of the country. AKÉ. The ruins of Aké are situated 9 leagues from Merida. A great mound, called El Palacio, or the Palace, is worthy of attention amidst so many structures of the same character abounding in Yucatan. The ascent is on the south side, by an immense staircase, 137 feet wide, forming an approach of rude grandeur, perhaps equal to any that ever existed in the country. Each step is 4 feet 5 inches deep, and 1 foot 5 inches in height. The platform on the top is 225 feet in length, and 50 in breadth. On this great platform stand thirty-six shafts of columns in three parallel rows of twelve, about 10 feet apart from north to south, and 15 from east to west. There are no remains of any structure, or of a roof. In the same vicinity are other mounds of colossal dimensions, one of which is also called the Palace, but of a different construction and without pillars. On another, at the head of a ruined staircase, is an opening under the top of a doorway, nearly filled up, leading into a dark chamber of rude construction, and of which some of the stones in the wall measured 7 feet in length. This is called Akabna, Casa Obscura, or dark house. Near this are steps leading down to a spring of water, which once supplied the ancient city. The ruins cover a large extent, but all are overgrown, and in a condition too ruinous to be presented in a drawing. They are ruder and more massive than any of the others above described, and bear the stamp of an older era. But it is most probable that the city was inhabited at the time of the conquest. In the year 1527, before the battle of Chichen, the Spaniards, under Don Francisco Montejo, had reached a place called Aké, where they found themselves confronted with a vast multitude of armed Indians. A desperate battle ensued, which lasted two days, and in which the Spaniards gained no easy triumph. There is no reason to doubt that the place now named Aké is identical with the scene of this battle. PATHS FOR Travellers. Parts of Yucatan offer untrodden fields to the undaunted traveller. The whole triangular region from Valladolid to the Bay of Ascension on one side, and the port of Yalahao on the other, is not traversed by a single road. It is a region entirely unknown; no white man ever enters it. It is Mr. Stevens' belief that within this region cities like those which are now in ruins in other parts of the country were kept up and occupied for a long time, perhaps one or two centuries, after the conquest, and that, down to a comparatively late period, Indians were living in them, the same as before the discovery of America. "In fact, I conceive it not to be impossible that within this secluded region may exist at this day, unknown to white men, a living aboriginal city, occupied by relics of the ancient race, who still worship in the temples of their fathers." "There is a district of country situated between Guatemala, Yucatan, and Chiapas, that has never yet been subdued. This section is surrounded by mountains, and is said to be inaccessible, except by one way, and that not generally known. No one yet, who has had the boldness to follow the inhabitants to their wild retreat, has ever returned to render an account of their journey. The inhabitants are represented as speaking the Maya and the Tchole languages, and many of them as conversing well in Spanish. From the latter circumstance they are enabled to visit the nearest cities, sell their tobacco, the principal article they cultivate, and afterwards to return to their retreats. They are constituted of the Lacandones, and other savage tribes; are expert warriors, remarkably athletic, and very cruel. They are worshippers of idols, and their religious ceremonies are said to have undergone little or no change. "Palenque is in the neighbourhood of this settlement, the population of which is estimated at thirty thousand; their secluded manner of life renders it almost impossible to arrive at any correct impressions respecting them. The Indians of Yucatan that have held conversation with persons from this district are unable to give any information about the people. Could a friendly intercourse, by any possibility, be established with this surprising country, there is scarcely a doubt that a knowledge of the former inhabitants of the immense ruins scattered throughout the neighbouring provinces would be revealed. That their temples and records remain in safety, and are capable of speaking to posterity, there can scarcely be a question."NORMAN. - Beyond the village of Iturbide, which formed the most southern point of Mr. Stevens' last expedition, is a wilderness stretching off to the Lake of Peten and that region of Lacandones, or unbaptized Indians, just now referred to. "In this lake are numerous islands, one of which is called Peten Grande, Peten itself being a Maya word, signifying an island. It now belongs to the government of Guatemala, and is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the bishop of Yucatan. Formerly it was the principal place of the province of Itza, which province, for one hundred and fifty years after the subjugation of Yucatan, maintained its fierce and native independence. In the year 1608, sixty-six years after the conquest, two Franciscan monks, alone, without arms, and in the spirit of peace, set out to conquer this province by converting the natives to Christianity." After a dangerous journey they landed on the island, and were provided with a house by the king. They forthwith preached to the Indians, who said that the time was not yet come for them to become Christians, and advised the monks to go and return some other day. Nevertheless, they carried them round the town, and in the middle of one of the temples the monks saw a great idol of the figure of a horse, which evidences the miserable weakness of the unassisted, unenlightened human mind. It was intended as an image of the horse which Cortez left at that place on his great journey from Mexico to Honduras. On that occasion the Indians had seen the Spaniards fire their muskets from the backs of the horses, and supposing that the fire and noise were caused by the animals, they called the image Tzimin Chac, and adored it as the god of thunder and lightning. One of the monks, carried away by zealous fervour, seized the foot of the horse with his hand, mounted upon the statue, and broke it in pieces. The king saved the lives of the daring missionaries from the vengeance of a superstitious people; but obliged them to leave the island. In 1619, the same monks, undaunted by their previous ill-success, returned; but the people rose up against them, and barely suffered them to escape in a canoe with their lives. "With all their fanaticism and occasional cruelty, there is something soul-stirring in the devotion of these early monks to the business of converting the souls of the Indians." In 1695, the governor of Yucatan undertook the great work of opening a road across the whole continent from Campeachy to Guatemala. This led to the conquest of Itza. Don Martin Ursua, the governor, took the command of the expedition in person, He left Campeachy in January 1697, and sent before him a proclamation, giving notice that the time had come when they should have one cup and one plate with the Spaniards. "If not," says the proclamation, "I will do what the king commands me, but which it is not necessary now to express." The Indians, however, withstood the power of the invader, but the spear was no defence against the musket, and the island of Peten Grande displayed the Spanish standard. This took place one hundred and fifty-five years after the foundation of the city of Merida, and but one hundred and forty-nine years ago. The monks found "twelve or more adoratorios of the heathen idols, of the size of the largest churches, in the villages of the Indians in the province of Yucatan, each one of which was capable of containing more than one thousand persons." In their private houses, even on the benches on which they sat, were found small idols. The principal temple was of a square form, with handsome breast work, and is mentioned as having been built like a Castillo; such, probably, as those at Chichen and Tuloom, above described. It is said that the people of Itza came originally from the land of Maya, now Yucatan. At the time of the insurrection of the Caciques of Maya, and the destruction of the native capital of Mayapan, which, according to tradition, took place about one hundred years before the arrival of the Spaniards, Canek, one of the rebellious caciques, got possession of the city of Chichen-Itza. From thence he withdrew to the most hidden and impenetrable part of the mountains, and took possession of the lake of Peten, establishing his residence on the large island which now bears that name. It follows, therefore, that the adoratorios and temples which Don Martin Ursua found on the island must have been erected within that time. This is an interesting fact, that only one hundred and forty-nine years ago, a city existed occupied by unbaptized Indians, precisely in the same state as before the arrival of the Spaniards, having temples resembling the great structures now scattered in ruins over Yucatan. "And where are these temples and adoratorios? Where are the Indians whose heads, on that day of carnage and terror, covered the water from the island to the main? Where are those unhappy fugitives, and the inhabitants of the other islands, and of the territory of Itza? They fled before the terrible Spaniard, plunged deeper into |