SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



141 



sacrifices ; but, out of respect for the ancient 

 religious system, he was obliged to have them 

 re-established, but ordered, on pain of death, 

 that they should only be executed on pri- 

 soners of war. He erected, in honour of the 

 Creator of heaven, a high tower of nine 

 stories, in the uppermost of which was an 

 apartment painted in blue, with gilt moulds, 

 in which were men purposely intrusted with 

 the care of striking at certain hours on sheets 

 of fine metal, to create a sound, and the king, 

 on his hearing it, used to fall upon his knees 

 and address his prayers to the great Creator, 

 in honour of whom he fasted on a certain day 

 of the year. 



" After a reign of thirty-four years, this 

 celebrated king died in 1470, much regretted 

 by his own people and by all the Mexi- 

 cans. He was succeeded by Nezahualpilli, 

 his youngest son, to whom he gave the pre- 

 ference on account of his talents and virtues," 



