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204 Peak, which appears, when thus seen, to stand alone, detached from the chain of inferior hills by which it is connected with the Coffre. In a clear day, the effect is very striking, as, from the purity of the atmosphere, the outline of this enormous mass is distinctly and sharply defined; but I should think it very difficult to transfer this effect to paper, so as to give any idea of the magnificence of the object. It is a natural picture as it now stands, and I should much doubt the power of art to do justice to it.

The boundary line between the States of Veracruz and La Puebla runs close to Ŏjŏ dĕ Āgŭa, in consequence of which the guard which had accompanied us from the Coast, was replaced by an escort of Lancers, which had been stationed there by the Authorities of Lă Pūēblă, to await our arrival. The men were remarkably well mounted and equipped, and in the officer, Don Juan Gōmĕz, we found a young Creole of gentlemanlike manners, and agreeable conversation, with whose society, during the rest of our journey, we were all much pleased. After passing an hour at the inn, where there were provisions in abundance to make amends for the scantiness of our morning fare, we proceeded towards Nŏpălūcă, observing with pleasure, as we advanced, that a number of little farms gave the surest possible indication of a more fertile soil. At Santa Ana, a village about two leagues from Ojo de Agua, we were received with great politeness by the Cura, an old man who came out to meet us