Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/220

166 our party as before, we set off at four on the morning of the 12th.

The roads in this state (Leon) are all excellent, very level, and excepting where the rains have cut their courses, might be travelled in an English carriage. Bridges of course would obviate all difficulty. At this season they were dusty, but the custom of travelling late in the evening, or early in the morning, prevented our feeling the additional inconvenience of the sun, although in many parts the roads are well shaded by trees. Passing through the small towns of Chichigalpa and Posoltega, we reached Leon at nine; where, after throwing off our superabundant dust, we did ample justice to a good breakfast.

Some difficulty arose with the authorities here, in consequence of the vice-consul having omitted to apprise all the authorities of my intentions; but on my calling on the chief, matters were soon satisfactorily arranged, with offers of assistance if required. Observations were obtained in the garden of the college for fixing the position of the city, and others taken from the summit of the cathedral for furthering our operations.

Leon is situated in latitude 12° 25' 30" N., longitude 86° 57' 45" W.; and the cathedral flat is two hundred and forty feet above mean-tide level; the base may be considered one hundred feet less.

Judging from the cathedral and churches now standing, as well as from the carving on doors and