the country, in the direction in
which this mass of water, mud, stones, and trees was moving, fared much
worse, for they were all drowned. May God have mercy on their souls!

I have above related that this dreadful tempest was looked upon as a
punishment for the blasphemous expression which the disconsolate widow
of Alvarado was said to have uttered at the intelligence of her
husband's death. However, I have often been assured since I have resided
in Guatimala, that this lady never gave utterance to the sinful
expressions of which she has been accused, but that she merely said:
"She wished she had perished with her husband."

I must not omit to observe that the stones which were rolled down with
the flood are of such magnitude, that when any stranger comes to
Guatimala, they are always pointed out to him, and he is quite astounded
at the sight.

After this unfortunate occurrence the inhabitants burned all the dead
bodies they could find; but they themselves durst no longer take up
their abode in the town, and the greater part retired to their
possessions in the country, or built huts in the fields. At length,
however, they determined to build the present town, which now stands
where formerly maise was grown. But I cannot say much in praise of the
site that was chosen. It would have been much preferable if choice had
been made of Petapa, or of the valley of Chimaltenango, both of which
places are better situated for commerce. Each time the river overflows
its banks the town is in danger, while earthquakes are of very frequent
occurrence.[63]

After this destructive tempest, the late bishop, of pious memory, and
several other cavaliers instituted an annual solemn procession, which
was to take place on the 11th of September. This procession, composed of
the clergy and of all the inhabitants of the town, set out from the
principal church, under chant of sacred hymns, to the spot where the old
town stood, and then entered the church, which on this day was decorated
with green boughs and cloth, and a solemn funeral mass was performed for
those who had perished in the tempest. After which funeral ornaments
were placed on the graves of the more distinguished with lighted wax
torches, and an offering was made of bread, meat, and other things,
according to the quality of the person interred. After the funeral mass
a sermon was preached, and the late bishop not only followed in the
procession himself, but he likewise left a f