32 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



this plain were raifed two towers to the height of fifty- 

 fix feet, or nearly nine perches. Each was divided into 

 three bodies, of which the lower was of ftone and lime, 

 and the other two of wood very well wrought and 

 painted. The inferior body or balls of each were pro- 

 perly the fancluaries, where, upon an altar of (lone, five 

 feet high, were placed their tutelary idols. One of thefe 

 two fanctuaries was confecrated to Huitzilopochtli, and 

 the gods of war ; and the other to Tezcatlipoca. The 

 other bodies were deftined to the keeping of fome 

 things belonging to the worfhip, and the ames of fome 

 kings and lords who, through particular devotion, de- 

 fired that to be done. The doors of both fancluaries 

 were towards the weft, and both the towers terminated 

 in a very beautiful wooden cupola. There is no author 

 who has defcribed the internal difpofition and ornaments 

 of the fancluaries ; nor indeed the fize of the towers ; 

 fo that what is reprefented in our plate is only deline- 

 ated from conjecture. I believe, however, we may 

 venture to fay without danger of miftake, that the 

 height of the building without the tow T ers, was not lefs 

 than nineteen perches, and with the towers exceeded 

 twenty-eight. From that height one might fee the lake, 

 the cities around, and a great part of the valley ; and 

 it has been affirmed by eye-witnefies to be the fineft 

 profpecl in the world. 



In the upper area was the altar for the common fa- 

 crifices, and in the lower that for the gladiatorial. Be- 

 fore the two fancluaries were two ftone ftoves of the 

 height of a man, and of the fhape of our holy pyx, in 

 which they preferved a conftant fire, night and day, 

 with the utmoft care ; fearing that if ever it went out, 

 they fhould fufFer the mod dreadful puniftiment from 



heaven. 



