HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



41 



throughout the empire. Their number could not fail to 

 b§, increafed from the great refpect paid to the priefl- 

 hqcd, and the high opinion they conceived of the office 

 ox ferving in the worfhip of the gods. The great men 

 even vied with one another in confecrating their children 

 for fome time to the fervice of the temples ; while the 

 inferior nobility employed theirs in works without, fuch 

 as carrying wood, feeding and keeping up the fire of the 

 toves, and other things of that kind ; all confidering 

 ,ae honour of ferving in the worfhip of the gods as the 

 -tjreateft to which they could afpire. 



There were feveral different orders and degrees among 

 the priefts. The chief of all were the two high priefts, 

 to whom they gave the names of Teoteuclli (divine lord), 

 and Hueitopixqui (great prieftl. That eminent dignity 

 was never conferred but upon fuch as were diftinguifhed 

 for their birth, their probity, and their great knowledge 

 of every thing connected with the ceremonies of their 

 religion. The high-priefls were the oracles whom the 

 kings confulted in all the mofl important affairs of the 

 ftate, and no war was ever undertaken without their ap- 

 probation. It belonged to them to anoint the king after 

 his election, and to open the breafl, and tear out the 

 hearts of the human victims, at the mofl folemn facrifices. 

 The high-priefl in the kingdom of Acolhuacan was, ac- 

 cording to fome hiflorians, always the fecond fon of the 

 king. Among the Totonacas he was anointed with the 

 elaflic gum mixed with children's blood, and this they 

 called the divine unflion (/'). Some authors fay the fame 

 of the high-priefl: of Mexico. 



Vol. II. F From 



(*) Acofta confounds the divine unction of the high-prieft with that of the 

 king ; but it was totally different ; the king did not anoint himfelf with elaftic 

 gum, but with a particular fort of ink. 



