Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/237

Rh very big loads of earthenware, strapped on their backs. They having the strap going around their foreheads, in this way they trot along on a dog's trot for miles; carrying with them a strong stick, that in case they want to rest they prop the stick under their load.

The Pyramid of Chulula, which looks more like a natural hill than anything I have ever seen, was erected many years before the arrival of Cortez and his bold band of robbers, still remains, but I am told that most of its beauties has been destroyed by Cortez and the long series of revolutions in Mexico. This pyramid covers many acres of ground, and on the top of it is a church or temple. Its bases looks to me as if it was built of bricks, but hard. The interior is abundant with cavities or vaults, roofed in with beams of cedar, for places for sepulchres, which contains skeletons, idols, etc. There are several small pyramids surrounding this large one. It appears to me to have been formed by cutting a hill into an artificial shape. Its dimensions are immense, being nearly three miles in circumference, and about three hundred and fifty feet high. It is divided into terraces and slopes, covered with platforms, stages and bastions, and are elevated one above the other; and all formed with large stones skilfully cut and joined without any cement. In some respects the style of architecture resembles the Gothic, being massive and durable, and I am informed, in other respects, it resembles the Egyptian.

The general construction, manner and style of architecture is different from anything I have ever seen.

The city of Chulula is built in a large, level and fertile valley, and extends as far as the eye can reach. The rivulets and numerous fields of maguey plants, which produces a drink called polque, looks as if it was almost at our feet. Here is a splendid view of the city of Puebla and other small towns. Its shining domes are plainly to be seen from here. The surrounding volcanoes and other historic mountains are also visible, and the most beautiful and romantic scenes that human eyes ever beheld can be seen. No writer or historian can