Also there is a great ditch of water that cometh through the city, even into the high Place; where come, every morning, at break of the day, twenty or thirty canoes or troughs of the Indians; which bring in them all manner of provisions for the city that is made and groweth in the country: which is a very good commodity for the inhabitants of that place. And as for victuals in the said city, beef, mutton, hens, capons, quails, guinea cocks, and such like, are all very good cheap; as the whole quarter of an ox, as much as a slave can carry away from the butcher's, for five tomynes, that is, five rials of plate [_i.e., of silver. See Vol. III. p._ 184], which is just 2s. 6d. [= £1 5_s._ 0_d. now_]; and fat sheep at the butcher's, for three rials, which is 1s. 6d. [= 12_s._ 6_d. now_], and no more. Bread is as good cheap as in Spain; and all other kinds of fruits, as apples, pears, pomegranates, and quinces, at a reasonable rate. The city goeth wonderfully forward in building of Friaries and Nunneries, and Chapels; and is like, in time to come, to be the most populous city in the world, as it may be supposed. The weather is there always very temperate. The day differeth but one hour of length all the year long. The fields and woods are always green. The woods are full of popinjays, and many other kind of birds, that make such a harmony of singing and crying, that any man will rejoice to hear it. In the fields are such odoriferous smells of flowers and herbs, that it giveth great content to the senses. In my time, were dwelling and alive in Mexico, many ancient men that were of the Conquerors, at the first conquest with HERNANDO CORTES: for, then, it was about thirty-six years ago, that the said country was conquered. * * * * * Being something strong, I procured to seek means to live, and to seek a way how to profit myself in the country seeing it had pleased GOD to send us thither in safety. Then, by the friendship of one THOMAS BLAKE, a Scottish-man born, who had dwelt, and had been married in the said city above twenty years before I came to the said city [_i.e., before 1536_], I was preferred to the service of a gentleman, a Spaniard dwelling there, a man of great wealth, and of one of the first conquerors of the said city, whose name was GONZALO SEREZO: with whom I dwelt twelve months and a half [_i.e., up to November 1557_]; at the end of which, I was maliciously accused by the Holy House for matters of religion. And because it shall be known wherefore it was, that I was so punished by the clergy's hand; I will in brief words, declare the same.