94 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



fuited to the grandeur of the feftival. Every place re- 

 founded with the voice of gladnefs and mutual congratu- 

 lations on account of the new century which heaven had 

 granted to them. The illuminations made during the 

 firft nights were extremely magnificent ; their ornaments 

 of drefs, their entertainments, dances, and public games, 

 were fuperiorly folemn. Amongft the laft, amidft an 

 immenfe concourfe of people, and the mod lively demon- 

 ftrations of joy, the game of the flyers, which we fhall 

 defcribe in another place, was exhibited ; in which the 

 number of flyers were four, and the number of turns 

 which each made in his flight, thirteen, which fignified 

 the four periods of thirteen years, of which the century 

 was compofed. 



What we have hitherto related concerning the fefti- 

 vals of the Mexicans, clearly evinces their fuperftitious 

 character ; but it will appear ftill more evident from the 

 account we are now to give of the rites which they ob- 

 ferved upon the birth of children, at their marriages, 

 and at funerals. 



As foon as a child was born, the midwife, after cutting 

 the navel-flring, and burying the fecundine, bathed it, 

 faying thefe words ; Receive the water ; for the goddefs 

 Chalchiuhcueje is thy mother. May this bath cleanfe the 

 fpots which thou bear est from the womb of thy mother, pu- 

 rify thy heart and give thee a good and perfecl life. Then 

 addrefling her prayer to that goddefs, flie demanded in 

 fimilar words the fame favour from her ; and taking up 

 the water again with her right hand, fhe blew upon it, 

 and wet the mouth, head, and breaft of the child with 

 it, and after bathing the whole of its body, flie faid : 

 May the invifible God defend upon this water, and cleanfe 

 thee of every fin and itupurity, and free thee from evil for- 

 tune : and then turning to the child, flie fpoke to it thus ; 



Lovely 



