40 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



servants, and slaves. All this numerous fe- 

 male tribe lived shut up in a kind of seraglio, 

 under the care of some noble matrons, who 

 watched over their conduct; as these kings 

 were extremely jealous, and every piece of 

 misconduct which happened in the palace, 

 however slight, was severely punished. Of 

 these women the king retained those who 

 pleased him, the others he gave away, as a 

 recompence for the services of his vassals. 

 All the feudatories of the crown were obliged 

 to reside for some months of the year at the 

 court ; and, at their return to their states, to 

 leave their sons or brothers behind them, as 

 hostages, which the king demanded as a se- 

 curity for their fidelity ; on which account 

 they were required to keep houses in Mexico. 



" The forms and ceremonials introduced at 

 court were another effect of the despotism of 

 Montezuma. No one would enter the palace* 

 either to serve the king, or to confer with him 



