Montezuma's way of life. 



103 



ancient lords stood by the throne, to whom Montezuma, from time 

 to time, spoke or addressed questions, and as a mark of particular 

 favor, gave to each of them a plate of that which he was eating. 

 I was told that these old lords, who were his near relations, were 

 also counsellors and judges. The plates which Montezuma pre- 

 sented to them they received with high respect, eating what was 

 on them without taking their eyes off the ground. He was served 

 in earthenware of Cholula, red and black. While the king was at 

 the table, no one of his guards in the vicinity of his apartment 

 dared, for their lives, make any noise. Fruit of all kinds produced 

 in the country, was laid before him ; he ate very little ; but, from 

 time to time, a liquor prepared from cocoa, and of a stimulative 

 quality, as we were told, was presented to him in golden cups. 

 We could not, at that time, see whether he drank it or not ; but I 

 observed a number of jars, above fifty, brought in, filled with 

 foaming chocolate, of which he took some that the women pre- 

 sented him. 



" At different intervals during the time of dinner, there entered 

 certain Indians, humpbacked, very deformed, and ugly, who played 

 tricks of buffoonery; and others who, they said, were jesters. 

 There was also a company of singers and dancers, who afforded 

 Montezuma much entertainment. To these he ordered the vases 

 of chocolate to be distributed. The four female attendants then 

 took away the cloths, and again, with much respect, presented him 

 with water to wash his hands, during which time Montezuma 

 conferred with the four old noblemen formerly mentioned, after 

 which they took their leave with many ceremonies. 



"One thing I forgot (and no wonder,) to mention in its place, 

 and that is, during the time that Montezuma was at dinner, two 

 very beautiful women were busily employed making small cakes, 1 

 with eggs and other things mixed therein. These were delicately 

 white, and, when made, they presented them to him on plates 

 covered with napkins. Also another kind of bread was brought 

 to him in long leaves, and plates of cakes resembling wafers. 



" After he had dined, they presented to him three little canes, 

 highly ornamented, containing liquid-amber, mixed with an herb 

 they call tobacco ; and when he had sufficiently viewed and heard 

 the singers, dancers, and buffoons, he took a little of the smoke of 

 one of these canes, and then laid himself down to sleep. 



1 No doubt tortillias, or maize cakes — still the staff of life with all the Indians 

 and, indeed, a favorite and daily food of all classes of Mexicans. 



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