138 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



century, either being compelled by force, or ftimulated 

 by the example of other nations, they began to live in 

 fociety, under fubjeftion to the crown of Acolhuacan* 

 In the country of Anahuac, and likewife in the vale of 

 Mexico, they fettled an infinite number of places ; the 

 greater, and efpecially the moft confiderablc of them, 

 fuch as thofe of Xiiotepec and Huitzapan, were in the 

 vicinage of the country which they occupied before ; the 

 others were fcattered among the Matlatzincas and Tlaf- 

 calans, and in other provinces of the kingdom, preferv- 

 ing even down to our times, their primitive language in 

 the infular colonics, though furrounded by other nations. 

 We are not, however, to conclude, that the whole na- 

 tion was then brought to a flate of civil life, as a great 

 part, and poffibly the mofl numerous, were ftill left to- 

 gether with. the Chechemecas in the condition of fava- 

 ges. The barbarians of both nations, which were con- 

 founded together by the Spaniards, under the name of 

 Chechemecas, made themfelves famous by their inva- 

 lions, and were not finally fubdued by the Spaniards un- 

 til the feventeenth century. The Otomies have always- 

 been reputed the mofl rude nation of Anahuac, not 

 more from the difficulty every body finds in underfland- 

 ing their language than their fervile flate of life ; as 

 even in the time of the Mexican kings they were treated 

 as flaves. Their language is very difficult and full of 

 afpirations, which they make partly in the throat, partly 

 in the nofe ; but otherwife it is fufficiently copious and 

 expreffive. Anciently they were renowned for their 

 dexterity in the chace ; at prefent they traffick in eoarfe 

 cloths for the drefs of the other Indians. 



The nation of the Tarafcas occupied the vaft, rich, 

 and pleafant country of Michuacan, where they multi- 

 plied 



