Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/318

298 of some gentlemen in the pit, who had been smoking incessantly, and might consequently be rather thirsty.

There was a scene, not badly drawn, representing the temple of the sun: one of the actors was describing the indestructible glory of Anahuac, and had just said that its brilliance should never be dimmed, when a tremendous shower, accompanied with thunder and lightning, took place. The rain dashed down in torrents on the crazy theatre, and spouted in volumes through the crevices of the broken roof: the audience were not to be affected by words; but, acknowledging that facts were stubborn things, mustered themselves indiscriminately in patches in the pit, or jumped into the boxes to escape the effects of the tornado. There is little encouragement given to plays at Guatemala; probably not more than was found in England previously to the time of Elizabeth.

I was glad to return from this scene of desolation; and, having, with my party,