42 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



and his seat a low chair. The table-cloth, 

 napkins, and towels were of cotton, but very 

 fine, white, and always perfectly clean. The 

 kitchen-utensils were of the earthenware of 

 Chollula ; but none of these things ever served 

 him more than once, as immediately after, he 

 gave them to one of his nobles. The cups in 

 which they prepared his chocolate, and other 

 drinks of the cocoa, were of gold, or some 

 beautiful sea shell, or naturally formed vessels 

 curiously varnished, of which we shall speak 

 hereafter. He had gold plate, but it was used 

 only on certain festivals, in the temple. The 

 number and variety of dishes at his table 

 amazed the Spaniards who saw them. The 

 conqueror Cortez says that they covered the 

 floor of a great hall, and that there were 

 dishes of every kind of game, fish, fruit, and 

 herbs of that country. Three or four hun- 

 dred noble youths carried this dinner in form ; 

 presented it as soon as the king sat down to 



