During the Tertiary period the whole valley of Mexico was one great lake.

Taking it as a whole, Mexico is a grand city, and, as Cortes truly said, its situation is marvellous.

The interior of Mexico consists of a mass of volcanic rocks, thrust up to a great height above the sea-level.

The plateau of Mexico is 8,000 feet high, and that of Puebla 9,000 feet.

We are at last on the high lands of Mexico, the districts which at least three different races have chosen to settle in, neglecting the fertile country below.

We were very kindly received by the English merchants to whom my companion had letters, and we set ourselves to learn what was the real state of things in Mexico.