( H3 ) 



the family of the great Montezuma alfo, of all ranks, were extremely 

 ingenious in thefe v/crks, and conftantly employed ; as was a certain 

 defcription of females who lived together in the manner of nuns. 



One part of the city was entirely occupied by Montezuma's dancers, 

 of different kinds, fome of whom bore a ftick on their feet, others 

 flew in the air, and fome danced like thofe in Italy called by us Mata- 

 chines. He had alfo a number of carpenters and handicraft men con- 

 flantly in his employ. His gardens, which were of great extent, were 

 irrigated by canals of running water, and fhaded with every variety of 

 trees. In them were baths of cut ftone, pavilions for feafting or retire- 

 ment, and theatres for (hows, and for the dancers and fingers; all 

 which were kept in the moft exadb order, by a number of labourers 

 conftantly employed. 



WJien we had been four days in Mexico, Cortes wifhed to take a 

 view of the city, and in confequence fent to requeft the permilTion of 

 his Majefly. Accordingly, Aguilar, Donna Marina, and a little page 

 of our general's called Orteguilla, who already underftood fomething of 

 the language, went to the palace for that purpofe. Montezuma was 

 pleafed immediately to accede, but being apprehenfive that we might 

 ofter fome infult to his temple, he determined to go thither in perfon, 

 which he accordingly did, in the fame form, and with the fame retinue, 

 as when he firft came out to meet us, but that he was on this occafion 

 preceded by two lords bearing fceptres in their hands, which they car- 

 ried on high, as a fignal of the king's approach. Montezuma, in his 

 litter, with a fmall rod in his hand, one half of which was gold, and 

 the other half wood, and which he bore elevated like a rod of juftice, 

 for fuch it was, approached the temple, and there quitted his litter and 

 mounted the fteps, attended by a number of priefls, and offering in- 

 cenfe, with many ceremonies, to his war gods. Cortes at the head of 

 his cavalry, and the principal part of our foldiers under arms, marched 

 to the grand fcjuare, attended by many noblemen of the court. When 

 we arrived there, we were afloniflied at the crowds of people, and the 



regularity 



