HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



283 



that it might not grow cold, every difli was accompanied 

 with its chafing-difli. The king marked with a rod, 

 which he had in his hand, the meats which he chofe, and 

 the reft were diftributed among the nobles who were in 

 the anti-chamber. Before he fat down, four of the moft 

 beautiful women of his feraglio, prefented water to him 

 to wafh his hands, and continued ftanding all the time 

 of his dinner, together with fix of his principal minifters, 

 and his carver. 



As foon as the king fat down to table, the carver fliut 

 the door of the hall, that none of the other nobles might 

 fee him eat. The minifters ftood at a diftance, and kept 

 a profound filence, unlefs when they made anfwer to 

 what the king faid. The carver and the four women 

 ferved the diflaes to him, belides two others who brought 

 him bread made of maize baked with eggs. He fre- 

 quently heard mufic, during the time of his meal, and was 

 entertained with the humorous fayings of fome deformed 

 men whom he kept out of mere ftate. He ftiewed much 

 fatisfadlion in hearing them, and obferved that amongft 

 their jefts, they frequently pronounced fome important 

 truth. When his dinner was over he took tobacco mixed 

 with liquid amber, in a pipe, or reed beautifully var- 

 niftied, and with the fmoke of it put himfelf to fleep. 



After having flept a little, upon the fame low chair 

 he gave audience, and liftened attentively to all that was 

 communicated to him ; encouraged thofe who, from cm- 

 barraffment, were unable to fpeak to him, and anfwered 

 every one by his minifters or fecretaries. After giving 

 audience, he was entertained with mufic, being much 

 delighted with hearing the glorious actions of his ancef- 

 tors fung. At other times he amufed himfelf with fee- 

 ing various games played, of which we fliall fpeak here- 

 after. 



