154- 



A M E <Kl C A. 



Chap. V. 



Defer prion 



of the Tem- 

 ple Gw. 



.-.*- 



from for their Offerings, and alfo by Skirmifliing with them, train up their Youth 

 in Martial Discipline. 



Thus his Predeceflors and he, having Conqucr'd divers Provinces, infomuch 

 that he was now become abfolute Emperor over a vaft Tract of Land, he refolv'd 

 to fettle the fame in good order ; to which purpofc he erected Courts of Judica- 

 ture, with good Laws . built a ftately Palace and Temple ; ordain'd fevcral Cu- 

 ftoms to be obferv'd in Religion • which done, and having Reign'd twenty eight 

 years, he Deceafing, left Ticocic for his Succeflbr. 



The foremention'd Temple was call'd Cu , being built of Stone, in form like a 

 Serpent, of an exceeding bignefs, in the middle thereof there was a fpacious open 

 place, and round about.it Habitations, two Stories high, the lowcrmoft for the 

 Inferior Priefts,and the uppermoft for the High Priefts ; in this place alfo above ten 

 thoufand People Danc'd in a Circle, on all high Feafts- four great Gates fae'd the 

 like number of broad Streets, each two Leagues long : On the outmoft Gate flood 

 large Images, the Front of black Stones, Painted between each Lay with red and 

 yellow Colours, no lefs Beautiful than Artificial: On each corner of the Tem- 

 ple were plac'd two Marble Statues of Indians , fitting with their Arms ftmch'd 

 out, and holding a Candle, and on their Heads Plumes of Feathers : Thirty high 

 fteps led up to a round place, fet about with Deaths-Heads, which was a Stage ap- 

 pointed for the flaughter of thole, whole Hearts were to be Offered to the Diabolical 

 gods, and whofe Heads, their Bodies being eaten, were brought back to the Priefts, 

 who hung them under the Stage, where every Head hanging till it dropp'd off, the 

 vacant place was immediately fupply'd with a frefh Head. At the end of the 

 Stage flood two Chappels, cover'd like a Cardinal' s.Czy, in one of which fate the 

 Image of Tiztlputzji y and in the other Tlaloc, to which led a hundred and twenty 

 Stone fleps. 



But befides this ftately Temple Cu, Mexico boafted nine more, {landing not far 

 afunder in a large Plain, all adorn'd with curious Imagery, and fet out with large 

 Pillars, each being Dedicated to a peculiar Idol, and built with magnificent Apart- 

 ments, 



