HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



81 



Centeotl, under the name of Xilonen ; for as we have 

 already mentioned, they changed the name according 

 to the irate of the maize. On this feftival they called 

 her Xilonen • becaufe the ear of maize, while the grain 

 was {till tender, was called Xilotl. The feftival continu- 

 ed eight days, during which there was conftant dancing 

 in the temple of that goddefs. On fuch days, the king 

 and the nobles gave away meat and drink to the popu- 

 lace, both of which were placed in rows in the under 

 area of the temple, and there the Chiampinolli^ which 

 was one of their moll: common drinks, was given, and 

 alfo the T amalli, which was parte of maize, made into 

 fmall rolls, and alfo other provifions, of which we ftiall 

 treat hereafter. Prefents were made to the priefts, and 

 the nobles invited each other reciprocally to entertain- 

 ments, and prefented each other with gold, filver, beau- 

 tiful feathers, and curious animals. They fung the 

 glorious actions of their anceftors, and boafted of the 

 noblenefs and antiquity of their families. At fun-fet, 

 when the feafting of the populace was ended, the priefts 

 had their dance which continued four hours, and on 

 that account there was a fplendid illumination in the 

 temple. The laft day was celebrated with the dance of 

 the nobility and the military, among whom danced alfo 

 a female prifoner, who reprefented that goddefs, and 

 was facrificed after the dance along with the other pri- 

 foners. Thus the feftival, as well as the month, had 

 the name of Hueitecuilhuitl^ that is, the great feftival of 

 the lords. 



In the ninth month, which began on the 5th of Au- 

 guft, the fecond feftival of Huitzilopochtli was kept ; 

 on which, befides the ufual ceremonies, they adorned all 

 the idols with flowers 5 not only thofe which were wor- 



Vol. II. L (hipped 



