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Show 2.10 BOOK V. l .. sic T. II. Deportment 1111d CCI'CillO· 11ials of king MolHC1.U111a. H I S T 0 R Y 0 F M E X I C 0. it, and even the enemies of the Mexicans, namely, the Tlafcalans and Michuacanefe were prefent in difgui[e at the fpecracle; but Montezuma having intelligence of this, with a generofity becoming a king, ordered them to be properly lodged and entertained, anc.l caufed fevcral fcaffolds to be ereC\:ed wh~re they might with eafe and conveniency view the whole of the folemnity. The firfi: ac:t of this king was to reward a renowned captain, named >flifxocbitl, with the ftate of Tlachaucho, for the great fervices he had rendered his ancefiors during feveral wars : a truly happy commencement of a reign, had his fucceeding conduCt: been correfpondent to it. But he had fcarce begun to exercife his authority when he difcovercd the pride which had hitherto lain concealed under an exterior of feeming humility. All his predecefiors had been aceuftomed to confer 'offices on perfons of merit, and thofe who appeared the mofi able to difcharge them, honouring, without partiality, the nobility or thofe of the clafs of plebeians occafionally, notwithfianding the folemn agreement entered into by the nobility and plebeians in the reign of Itzcoatl. Montezuma as foon as he feized the reins of government £hewed quite different fentiments, and difapproved of the conduCt of his predeceifors, under pretence that the plebeians lhould be employed according to their rank, for that in all their aCtions the bafenefs of their birth, and the ' meannefs of their education were apparent. Being biaffed by this maxim, he firipped the plebeians of thofe offices which they held either in his royal manfion, or about the court, and declared them incapable of holding any fuch in future. A prudent old man, who had been his tutor, reprefented to him that this refolution would alienate the minds of the people fi·om him; but no remonfirances were fuflicient to divert him from his purpofe. All the fervants of his palace confifted of perfons of rank. Befides thofe who conftantly lived in it, every morning fix hundred feudatory lords and nobles came to pay court to him. They paffed the whole day in the anti-chamber, where none of their fervants were permitted to enter, converting in a low voice, and waiting the orders of their fovercign. The f~rvants who accompanied thofe lords, were fo numerous as to occupy three {mall courts of the palace, and many waited in theftreets. The women about the court were not lefs in number, including thofe of rank, 1 fervants, J H I S T 0 It Y 0 F M E X I C 0. fe.rvants, and ~aves. All this numerous female tribe, lived !hut up in a km~ of feraglto, under the care of fome noble matrons, who watched over th~1r condutl:;. as thefe kings. were extremely jealous, and every piece of mifc.o {] nddu tl: whtch happened m the palace, however flight was r.e 1 0 f" 1 , 11 vere y punt 1c .· t 1efc women the king retained thofe who pleafed him (d); the othe1s he gave away, as a recompence for the fervices of his vafials t All the feudatories of the crown were obliged to refide for fome months of ~he year, at the court; and at their return to their ftates, to leave their fons or bro~hers behi!1d them, as hoftages, which the king demanded as a fecunty for thetr fidelity; on which account they required to keep houfes in Mexico. The forms and ceremonials introduced at court, were another effeCt: of the defpoti:m of Montezuma. No one could enter the palace, either ~o ferve tl~e kmg, or to confer with him on any bufinefs, without pullmg off h1s £hoes and. ll:o~kings at the gate. No perfon was allowed to appear before the ktng m any pompous dreiS, as it was deemed a want of refpeCt ~o majefty; ~onfequently the greateft lords, excepting the neareft relatwns of the kmg, firipped themfelves of the rich drefs which they .~ore, o.r at !eaft covered it with on,e more ordinary, to £hew their hum1hty before him. All perfons on entering the hall of audience and before [peaking to the king, made three bows, faying at the firft, l~rd; at the fccon.d, my lord;. an~ at the third, great lord (e). They fpoke low, and With the head mc.lmed, an~ received the anfwer which the king ~ave them by me~ns of h1s fecretanes, as attentively and humbly a~ if 1t. had been the voice of an oracle. In taking leave, no perfon ever turned h1s back upon the throne. The audience hall ferved nlfo fot· his dining room. The table was a brge pillow, and his feat a low chair. The table cloth, napkins, and towels. were of cotton, but very fine, white, and always perfetl:ly clean . The k1tchen utenfils were of the earthen ware of Cholula. hut none of thefe things ever fervecd him more than once, as immediately after he ,gave them. to one of his nobles. The cups in which they prepared his (d) Som.e ~iftorians affirm that Montezuma had a hundred nnd fifty of his wives pregnant at o()nce; but 1t u certainly not very credible. lorY.) The Mc:xican .:woxds arc, T'latM11i, lord; NoilaMat,,·i"' my lord; and H11itl(//ormi, great E e 2 chocolate 2II BOOK V. ~ |