HISTORY OP MEXICO. 



43 



The Tlatqidmilolteuflli managed the ceconomy of the 

 fan&uaries, the Ometochtli was the chief compofer of the 

 hymns which v/ere fung at feftivals; the Epcoacuiltzin (7), 

 the mafter of the ceremonies ; the TIapixcatzin the mafter 

 of the chapel, who not only appointed the mufic, but 

 fuperintended the ftnging and corrected the lingers. 

 Others, whofe names we omit, to avoid growing tedious 

 to our readers, were the immediate fuperiors of the col- 

 leges of the priefts which were confecrated to different 

 gods (ni). The name feopixqui was alfo given to the 

 priefts, which means the guard or minifter of God. 



To every divifion of the capital, and probably, of every 

 other great city, belonged a prieft of fuperior rank, who 

 acted in the quality of rector , to that diftricl, and ap- 

 pointed every act of religion which was to be performed 

 within the bounds of his jurifdiction. All thefe rectors 

 were fubject to the authority of the Mexicoteohuatzin. 



All the offices of religion were divided among the 

 priefts. Some were the facrificers, others the diviners ; 

 fome were the compofers of hymns, others thofe who 

 fung. Amongft the fingers fome fung at certain hours 

 of the day, others fung at certain hours of the night. 

 Some priefts had the charge of keeping the temple clean, 

 fome took care of the ornaments of the altars ; to others 

 belonged the inftructing of youth, the correcting of the 

 calendar, the ordering of feftivals, and the care of the 

 mythological paintings. 



Four times a day they offered incenfe to the idols, 

 nameiy, at day-break, at mid-day, at fun-fet, and at mid- 

 night. The laft offering was made by the prieft whofe 



turn 



(/) Torquemada calls this prieft Epqualiztli, and Hernandez Epoaquacuiliztli ; 

 but both of them are miftaken. 



(*») Whoever is defirous of knowing the other offices and names of the 

 priefts, may confult the 8th book of Torquemada, and the account given by 

 Hernandez, which Nieremberg inferted in his Natural Hiftory. 



