ORIGIN OF THE



a green stone, Dfve spans high, and pointed
which they extended the victims they inte
fice. These sacrifices were offered to the
opposite, in a chapel of exquisite workma
god was seated on a throne, sustained by (
blue colour, representing heaven. From tL
sphere proceeded four staffs, terminating
serpents' heads: a twisted serpent was hel
of the image; and in his left fouir arrows be



which was otname
of a cross. On its
feathers of various
Mexican Moloch 5
two blue hands, on



nted with w-hi
head was a 4
colours. Thi
was stern and
ie across the nc



te feather



hel

te
)se



met,

rrific
and



at the top, on
tided to sacri-
god, who sat
,nship. This
i sphere of a
ie sides of this
in fiutres of
d in the hand
hind n shield,
s, in the formi



adorned with
tenance of this
I, deformed with
cheeks, and the



other acro:
fered to th
dez says,
would, fro
played, be
MexiciansO



ss
ai$
t&
an
al



the bro
sangui
at those
the art
credit t
id that t



'V.
iary
reli
and
Io a
hey



As to the number of victims of-



deity
Iajious
taste
more
must



I authors differ, Fernan-
edifices of the Mexic.llns
which the architecture dis-
civilized nation than the
have been acquainted with



painting, sculpture, and architecture previous to their
miaration from Asia.
  From the foregoing observations on the civilization of
the Mexicans, it appears that this great nation had at"
tained a high degree of refinement, previous to the arrxi
val of the Spaniards. The habits of the emperor and
his principal chiefs are said by Spanish writers to have
been rich and superb.  In several arts they were con-
sidepable proficients. Painting and architecture they
cultivated with assiduity and success. On agriculture
depended chiefly their means- of subsistence, although
hunting and fishing were their favorite exercises. In
educating their children, they offered an example of their



political sagacity; because in every district
pire public schools were erected, in which
were fitted for the army, church and state, I
their different bents of inclination.  In this 1
ed even the most refined nations in Europe,



ot the em-
the youths
according to
they excell-
where the



300



I