SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 73 



figures, respecting the gaudy costumes of 

 the ancient warriors, than can be obtained 

 elsewhere. During the time the operation of 

 taking the casts was going on, (and it oc- 

 cupied several days), the populace surrounded 

 the place, and, although they behaved with 

 great decorum and civility, they would fre- 

 quently express their surprise as to the mo- 

 tives that could induce me to take so much 

 pains in copying these stones ; and several 

 wished to be informed whether the English, 

 whom they did not consider to be Christians, 

 worshipped the same Gods as the Mexicans 

 did before their conversion. I availed my- 

 self of the publicity this operation gave to 

 my pursuits, to offer to purchase any articles 

 of curiosity from the Indians, or to reward 

 those who could procure me intelligence of 

 the existence of any such. The consequence 

 was, that various articles which had been 



