SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



43 



table, and immediately retired ; and, that it 

 might not grow cold, every dish was accompa- 

 nied with its chafing-dish. The king marked, 

 with a rod which he had in his hand, the meats 

 which he chose, and the rest were distributed 

 among the nobles who were in the antechamber. 

 Before he sat down, four of the most beautiful 

 women of his seraglio presented water to him 

 to wash his hands, and continued standing all 

 the time of his dinner, together with six of his 

 principal ministers, and his carver. 



" As soon as the king sat down to table, 

 the carver shut the door of the hall, that none 

 of the other nobles might see him eat. The 

 ministers stood at a distance, and kept a pro- 

 found silence, unless when they made answer 

 to what the king said. The carver and the 

 four women served the dishes to him, besides 

 two others who brought him bread made of 

 maize baked with eggs. He frequently heard 

 music during the time of his meal, and was 



