RUINS
OF
CONCEPCION.
235
been recently looking down. In the middle of an entangled part of the forest, the remains of the ancient city of La Concepcion de la Vega ne scattered in awful confusion. The church, nnnt, and fort may, it is said, be still traced ; I, however, only saw the former, the gothic door-way and window distinctly marking it. It was a most flourishing establishment until 1564, when it was overwhelmed by an earth quake, which left no building standing, and destroyed nearly all the inhabitants. Unlike the Guatemalians, who rebuilt several times on the ruins of their overwhelmed city, the La Regans abandoned their altars for ever, and some °f them laid the foundation of the present city, town or village of La Vega. A peasant on the road, who conducted us to the ruins, was intelligent and civil, and to my surprise refused a gratuity when offered to him. He must have done so from some principle of duty, for all his phraseology was tinctured with religion. I marvelled how religious principles could find a place in such a district. Pursuing our route, we found ourselves on the banks of the Camou, a deep and rapid, though barren stream. Soon after passing the. ford, we were at the end of our day's journey, having travelled fifteen leagues. My cabriolet