Christmas-day—Kalends and Mass—Amateur Performances—Solo—Posadas—
Wandering of the Holy Family—Nacimiento—Crowded Party—French Cooks—
Mexican Cook—State of Household—New Year's Day—Mass—Dirtiness of the
Churches, etc.—Comparisons—Private Chapels—English Club—Preparations
for Journey
LETTER THE THIRTY-FIRST
Leave Mexico—Cuernavaca—Tierra Caliente—Atlacamulco—Orange Groves
—Sugar-cane—Annual Produce—Will of Cortes—Description—Coffee
Plantation—Scorpions—List of Venomous Reptiles—Aspansingo—Doubts and
Difficulties—A Decision
LETTER THE THIRTY-SECOND
Leave Atlacamulco—Assemble by Starlight—Balmy Atmosphere—Flowers and
Trees of the Tropics—The Formidable Barrancas—Breakfast under the
Trees—Force of the Sun—Meacatlan—Hospitality—Profitable Estate—
Leave Meacatlan—Beautiful Village—Musical Bells—Ride by Moonlight—
Sugar Fires—Cocoyotla—Old Gentleman—Supper—Orange-trees and Cocoas—
Delicious Water—Sugar Estates—A Scorpion—Set off for the Cave—
Morning Ride—Dangerous Path
LETTER THE THIRTY-THIRD
Cave of Cacahuamilpa—Superstition—Long-bearded Goat—Portal—
Vestibule—Fantastic Forms—Breakfast—Pine Torches—Noble Hall—
Stalactites and Stalagmites—Egyptian Pyramids—Double Gallery—Wonderful
Formations—Corridor—Frozen Landscape—Amphitheatre—World in Chaos—
Skeleton—Wax Lights—Hall of Angels—Return—Distant Light—Indian
Alcalde—Cautlamilpas—Rancho—Return to Cocoyotla—Chapel—Meacatlan—
Eclipse of the Moon—Benighted Travellers—Indian Village—El Puente—
Return to Atlacamulco
LETTER THE THIRTY-FOURTH
Ride by Starlight—Fear of Robbers—Tropical Wild Flowers—Stout Escort—
Hautepec—Hacienda of Cocoyoc—A Fire—Three Thousand Orange-trees—
Coffee Mills, etc.—Variety of Tropical Fruits—Prodigality of Nature—
Casasano—Celebrated Reservoir—Ride to Santa Clara—A Philosopher—A
Scorpion—Leave Santa Clara—Dangerous Barranca—Colon—Agreeable
House—Civil Administrador—San Nicolas—Solitude—Franciscan Friar—
Rainy Morning—Pink Turban—Arrival at Atlisco—Cypress—Department of
Puebla—Volcanoes—Doña Marina—Verses—Popocatepetl—Cholula—Great
Pyramid—Arrival at Puebla