PAINTINGS. XXXV 



third volume of his ColIe6lion. In 1692, they were 

 afrefli printed in Paris, with a French interpretation by 

 Thevenot, in the fecond volume of his work, entitled. 

 Relation de divers Voiages Curieux. The pictures as we 

 have mentioned before, were fixty-three in number ; the 

 twelve firfl containing the hiftory of the foundation of 

 Mexico, the years and conquefts of the Mexican kings ; 

 the thirty-fix following, reprefenting the tributary cities 

 of that crown, and the quantity and fpecies of their tri- 

 butes ; and the remaining fifteen, explained a part of 

 the education of their youth, and their civil government. 

 But it is necefifary to obferve, that the edition by Theve- 

 not is imperfedl ; for in the copies of the eleventh and 

 twelfth pictures, the figures of the years are changed ; 

 the figures which belong to the reign of Montezuma, 

 being applied to the reign of Ahuitzotl ; and on the 

 contrary : the copies of the twenty-firfl: and twenty- 

 fecond pi<5lures are entirely wanting, and alfo in great 

 part the figures of the tributary cities. Kirker repub- 

 lifhed a copy of the firfl painting from that of Purchas, 

 in his work, entitled, Oedipus Mgyptiacus. This collec- 

 tion of Mendoza we have diligently fludied, and obtain- 

 ed much affiftance to our hiftory from it. 



II. The collection of the Vatican. Acofta makes men- 

 tion of fome painted Mexican annals which were in his 

 time in the library of the Vatican. We have no doubt 

 but they are ftill there ; confidering the laudable curiofi- 

 ty and great attention of the Italian gentlemen to pre- 

 ferve fuch monuments of antiquity ; but we had not any 

 opportunity of applying there to confult them. 



III. The collection of Vienna. Eight Mexican paint* 

 ings are preferved in the library of this court. " From 

 a note," fays, Dr. Robertfon, " to this Mexican code, it 



" ap- 



