Abstract
IN the paper I am about to read to you I endeavour to give some description of the valley and city of Mexico. The city originated in an Aztec settlement on two small muddy islands in a lake which at one time must have filled the greater part of the valley, 800ooo feet above sealevel. By an examination of early maps and plans I shall endeavour to trace the development of the city which, after becoming the capital of a native Indian empire, was successively the colonial capital of New Spain and of the Mexican Republic; furthermore, to follow the engineering works both native and foreign for the protection of the city from inundation, and finally for the drainage of the lakes. The Gulf of Mexico is curiously devoid of harbours, and the early voyagers always sought the shelter of the small island of San Juan de Ulua as a protection from the dreaded Norte, the cold north wind which sweeps down from North America. This island is close to the shore, and on the mainland opposite to it the city of Vera Cruz was built, a city which always had a bad reputation as the home of yellow fever; but quite recently, mainly owing to the skill of English engineers and contractors, it has become a well-dtained health resort and possesses wharves capable of accommodating ocean-going steamers. However, until quite lately the island of San Juan de Ulua was the only protection for vessels, and the picture plan, dated i608, by Bautista Antonelli shows the ships moored to rings attached to the wall which had been built along the landward side of the island.
Published Version
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