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THE MEXICAN EMPIRE.

THE Mexican Empire,' according to Clavegero,' was comprehended between the 14th and 21st degrees of north latitude; and between 271 and 283 degrees west longitude, from the meridian of Ferro. The vale of Mexico was magnificently crowned with verdant mountains whose circumference at their base exceeded 120 miles,' and environed by about forty eminent cities, while innumerable villages and hamlets were scattered throughout this delightful valley, great part of which was occupied by two lakes; one of sweet and pure water, the other impregnated with salt.

'The Toltics,' observes Clavegero, vol. i. p. 84, ‘are the oldest nation of which we have any knowledge; and that is very imperfect. They affirmed that they had been banished from their mother country, Hue-hue-Tlapallan (ancient land of the Red Sea.) The seven lineages who afterwards inhabited that country, and called it Mexico, affirmed that they had originally come from Aztlan or TEOAcolhuacan (land of God) and declared it to be near Amequemacan.' Garcia, p. 182, in Antiq. Mex.

The city of Mexico was at first called Tenoch-titlan, after one of the ten chiefs of their lineage.' Gage observes, 'that this name was probably derived from Tenoch, the first chief.'

As the jubilee of the Mexicans occurred every fifty-two

1 For a late statistical notice of the Mexican empire, see Appendix.

years, when the reign of each monarch terminated, and as it was customary to elect the new king or viceroy, on the arrival of that period, it is highly probable that the city of Mexico received that name at the first jubilee after their settlement, in honour of the Messiah, whom they so devoutly expected, when Acampitzen the first king was anointed and crowned. In the reign of Itzcoatl, grandson of this monarch, academies were instituted for the study of astronomy,1 music, painting, history, and poetry.2

The city Tescuco, was divided into thirty districts, and each of these was assigned to the arts of sculpture, jewelmaking, weaving, &c. Temples, edifices, and gardens were constructed by Nezahualcozotl.

Nezahualcozotl made eighty laws which have been recorded in MS. He ordered that law-suits and trials for crimes should only last eight days, &c.; he was very charitable to the destitute, to old people, and to widows. To prevent bribery, he ordered that the judges should be maintained and clothed, at the expense of government, according

1 See Appendix.

* In the cultivation of poetry and dramatic composition, the Mexicans were not deficient. Many of their expressions,' observes Clavegero, 'are so strong, that they cannot be heightened, especially on the subject of love. In short, all those who have heard and learned this language, and can judge of its copiousness, regularity, and beautiful modes of speech, are of opinion that such a language could not have been spoken by a barbarous nation. A people possessed of so powerful a language could neither want orators nor poets. Even at present, (1750) reduced as they aae to a state of great humiliation, and retaining not their ancient institutions, they make orations in their assembles which are so replete with good sense and propriety, as to excite the admiration of all who hear them. The number of their orators was exceeded by that of their poets, in their verses they were attentive to cadence and measure. Their subjects were various; they composed sacred songs in praise of their God, or to obtain what they stood in need of, &c. Orazio Carroci, a Milanese Jesuit, published some eloquent verses of the ancient Mexicans about the middle of the last century; these were sung in the temples at their sacred dances. It is related that one of the poets who was imprisoned for some misdemeanour, composed a dirge in prison, in which he took leave of the world, in so tender and touching a style, that the musicians of the palace, who were his friends, advised him to sing it to the king, who was himself a celebrated poet and lover of music, was so much affected, that (his crime not having been of the first degree) he granted him pardon.

to their rank. The progress which this king made in the arts and sciences was indeed extraordinary. He was an eminent poet himself, and many of his productions were highly esteemed. He composed sixty hymns in honour of the Creator of Heaven which were very much thought of by the Spaniards; and his odes or songs, which were translated into Spanish by his descendant, Don Ferdinando Alva Ixtlilxochitl, have been preserved to our days. He had also knowledge of astronomy, and applied himself to the knowledge of plants and animals."-See Bullock's Travels.

Montezuma (archer of Heaven) was the fifth in order, and was celebrated as a conqueror. His first care was to erect a great Temple.

The governor of Chalco having rebelled, seized the brother of Montezuma, proposing that he should become the king of that city which might then rival that of Mexico. After much solicitation he appeared ready to consent, but proposed first to make an address to the people from a commanding height. A kind of scaffold having been raised on a high tree in the market-place, he addressed those who frequented that place, on the virtue of being faithful, which is preferable to life itself; when he instantly precipitated himself to the ground, and was killed. See Hist. Researches.

*

Montezuma, in revenge, sacked their city.

The king died feared and beloved; he was sober, prudent, and just; he made new regulations, and added much splendour to his court.

"The year 1470 was distinguished by the death of Nezahualpilli, king of Acolhuacan, the Solon of Anahuac, and who made Tescuco the Athens of America. He lived eighty years, and reigned forty-four." "During his reign,

crimes were infallibly punished. No suit, civil or criminal, could remain undecided more than eighty days. He supported the aged and destitute. He studied the stars, plants, and animals. He deplored to his son the adoration of idols, &c. but felt himself constrained to conform to customs which were established. He erected in honour of the Creator, a tower consisting of nine floors. The upper one was dark, vaulted, and painted blue, and had a cornice of gold. Men resided here to strike plates of fine metal, at certain hours, when the king kneeled and prayed to the Creator of Heaven, to whom he composed sixty hymns; and also two odes or sacred songs which have been translated into Spanish." Hist. Resear. ch. 7, p. 309-10. The people were persuaded that he was translated; historians, on the other hand, have concluded that he must have been secretly burned.

Ahuitzotl was the eighth king of Mexico. He erected a magnificent Temple, and in four years after the foundation stone was laid, more people assembled to solemnize its dedication than had ever collected on any former festival. Clavegero says, some authors affirm that there were six millions.' Vol. i. p. 201. This sovereign was said to have been capricious and tyrannical, but so fond of music, that it was heard in the palace night and day. He raised Mexico to be the first city in the New World. Not having had sons his younger brother Montezuma1 was elected in preference to the others.

He was called Montezumazin for dignity.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW.

"AXAJACATL was elected in preference to his elder brothers Tizoc and Awhitzotl, and, like the kings of Israel, they were inducted by presentation at the Temple, and by anointing, prayer, sacrifice and incense. When this act of religion was performed, during which the king remained on his knees, the high-priest sate down and delivered a discourse to him, in which, after congratulating him on his advancement, he informed him of the obligation he owed his subjects, and warmly recommended to him zeal for religion and justice—the protection of the poor-and the defence of his country and kingdom. The allied princes and nobles next addressed him to the same purpose."

"After hearing these addresses, the king descended, with all his attendants, to the lower area or court, where the rest of the nobility waited to make their obedience, and pay him homage, in jewels and apparel. He was thence conducted to an inner part of the Temple, called Tiacatecco, where he was left alone four days, during which time he ate but once a-day: he bathed twice a-day, and after bathing drew blood from his ears (an acknowledgment of having heard truly and sincerely) which, with some incense, he offered to the Most High, making all the while constant and earnest prayers to obtain that enlightenment of the understanding which was requisite in order to govern his people

This was the "boring of the ear," which was introduced by Quetzalcoatlan act emblematic of opening the ear to wisdom, instead of, like the deaf adder, wilfully closing it against her charming voice,