SIX MONTHS IK MEXICO. 139 



hundred and forty-four thousand of cocoa ; to 

 three thousand two hundred of chile, or red 

 pepper, and tomata; to two hundred and 

 forty of chiltecpin, or small red pepper ; to 

 one thousand three hundred cakes of salt, 

 and eight thousand turkeys ; besides a large 

 quantity of vegetables, deer, rabbits, and 

 birds of different descriptions. Cocoa was 

 brought from the warm climates, as it was 

 not produced in the kingdom. Fourteen 

 cities were obliged to furnish these provisions 

 during six months, while fifteen others fur- 

 nished them the rest of the year : young men 

 were obliged to carry all the wood for the use 

 of the palace. 



" The progress which this king made in 

 the arts and sciences was indeed extraordi- 

 nary, considering that he had neither books 

 nor masters who could instruct him. He 

 was an eminent poet himself, and many of his 

 productions were highly esteemed. He com- 



