aditions of the country; and Mr. Stevens and Mr.
Squier have done much in the last few years to render us familiar with
the more accessible and probably most significant ruins which illustrate
the civilization of the race subdued by the Spaniards; but still Central
America is unexplored. In the second volume of the work of Mr. Stevens,
he mentions that a Roman Catholic priest of Santa Cruz del Quiche told
him marvellous stories of a "large city, with turrets white and
glittering in the sun," beyond the Cordilleras, where a people still
existed in the condition of the subjects of Montezuma. He proceeds:

"The interest awakened in us, was the most thrilling I ever
experienced. One look at that city, was worth ten years of an
every-day life. If he is right, a place is left where Indians
and a city exist, as Cortez and Alvarado found them; there are
living men who can solve the mystery that hangs over the ruined
cities of America; who can, perhaps, go to Copan and read the
inscription on its monuments. No subject more exciting and
attractive presents itself to any mind, and the deep impression
in my mind will never be effaced. Can it be true? Being now in
my sober senses, I do verily believe there is much ground to
suppose that what the Padre told us is authentic. That the
region referred to does not acknowledge the government of
Gautamala, and has never been explored, and that no white man
has ever pretended to have entered it; I am satisfied. From
other sources we heard that a large _ruined_ city was visible;
and we were told of another person who had climbed to the top
of the sierra, but on account of the dense clouds rising upon
it, he had not been able to see any thing. At all events, the
belief at the village of Chajul is general, and a curiosity is
aroused that burns to be satisfied. We had a craving desire to
reach the mysterious city. No man if so willing to peril his
life, could undertake the enterprise, with any hope of success,
without hovering for one or two years on the borders of the
country, studying the language and character of the adjoining
Indians, and making acquaintance with some of the natives. Five
hundred men could probably march directly to the city, and the
invasion would be more justifiable than any made by Spaniards;
but the government is too much occupied w