Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/432

416 From Saus the character of the country improved at every step; cultivation increased rapidly: we saw vast plains of maize and little groups of Indian huts at each turn in the road. After passing the Hacienda del Căzădērŏ, a valuable estate belonging to Don Pedro Ăcĕvēdŏ, we crossed a Pĕdrĕgăl, or stony tract, of about two leagues in extent, and afterwards pursued our course through a succession of immense Pŏtrērŏs, until we came in sight of Qŭerētărŏ, of which there is a beautiful view from an opening between two hills. The first appearance of the aqueduct, by which the town is supplied with water from a spring in the mountains, at a distance of nearly three leagues, is very picturesque. Its arches are lofty, light, and bold, and its vast extent gives it an air of great magnificence as it stretches across the plain.

Qŭerētărŏ is the capital of the State of that name, the territories of which were formerly comprehended in the neighbouring "Intendancies" of Mēxĭcŏ, La Pūēblă, and Guănăjūātŏ. They are now divided into the six "Părtĭdŏs," or districts, of Ămĕālcŏ, Cădĕrēită, Săn Jūān dĕl Riŏ, Săn Pĕdrŏ Tŏlĭmān, Qŭerētărŏ, and Xālpăn, which contain in all a population of about 200,000 souls. The Constitution of the State is a copy in miniature of that of the Federation, from which it has taken all