274- 



a M E%1 C A . 



Chap. V. 









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fering in Cufloms and Languages, though raoft of them have fomc affinity with 

 the Mexicans, who by force of Arms had made a way to the fupream Empire. All 

 of them acknowledge a Creator, but have no Name to exprefs the Word Cod. But 

 befidcs the Creator of the World they have made to themfelves Gods of many other 

 Creatures ; amongft which are the Sun, Moon, Stars, and the Manes of the De- 

 ceafed, the'earc of whofe Burial they committed to the Priefls, which was fome- 

 tirnes in the Fields, fometimes in their Houfes . others carried their dead Bodies 

 to the Mountains, fome buried them in Temples ; and as they either burnt or bu- 

 ried the Body, fo they buried or burnt their Clothes and Riches with them, espe- 

 cially of Perfons of Quality, whilft thofe that accompanied the Corps fung a 

 mournful Song; after which they Feafted. The Heirs of Noble-men that had been at 

 the Funeral put themfelves all into Mourning. A Perfon,after he isdej*d,is ftrctch'd 

 out upon the Floor, where he lies till all his Friends come to Prefent and Com* 

 plement him, as if living : But at the death of an eminent Perfon they not onely 

 bring him Prefents, but proffer him his Slaves, Steward, Butlers, Dwarfs, and 

 Houfliold Prieft, (all which a Lord muft keep) that they may ferve him in the other 

 World. The Priefts which performed the Funeral Ceremonies, walk'd before the 

 Corps with the Image of the Idol which the Deceafed had appropriated to him- 

 felf, (for every Lord, according to the greatnefs of his Quality, bore the Name 

 and Apparel of fome Idol or another;) other Pricfts beat on Drums, play'd on Pipes 

 and finging Dirges, perfum'd the Way with Myrrh, whileft the Servants and Re- 

 lations made a doleful cry. a Herauld alfo carried the Coat of Arms and Tro- 

 phies of the Deceafed,artificially painted on Cloth • at laft they pyl'd fwect Wood 

 about the Corps, which being lighted, and the Body burnt to Allies, a Prieft in a 

 frightful Drefs, Vizarded with a gaping Mouth, long Teeth, and fiery Eyes, came 

 ona'fudden, and with a long Stick ftirr'd the Aflies about, and gathering it in an 

 Urn, buried the fame with the fore-mention'd things. 



The Idols in ]$ch> Spain are reprefented in terrible figures, to which they Offer 



humane Sacrifices. 



The 



