98 



HISTORY OF MEXICO, 



ance in the heavens. The child born on the day of the 

 renewal of the fire, had the name of Molpilli, if it was 

 a male ; if a female me was called Xiuhnenetl, alluding 

 in both names to circumftances attending the feftival. 

 Men had in general the names of animals ; women thofe 

 of flowers ; in giving which it is probable, they paid 

 regard both to the dream of the parents, and the coun- 

 fel of diviners. For the mo ft part they gave but one 

 name to boys ; afterwards it was ufual for them to ac- 

 quire a furname from their actions, as Montezuma I. on 

 account of his bravery was given the furnames of Ilhua- 

 camina and llacaelu 



When the religious ceremony of bathing was over r 

 an entertainment was given, the quality and honours of 

 which correfponded with the rank of the giver. At 

 fuch feafons of rejoicing, a little excefs in drinking was 

 permitted, as the diforderlinefs of drunken perfons ex- 

 tended not beyond private houfes. The torches were 

 kept burning till they were totally confumed, and par- 

 ticular care was taken to keep up the fire all the four 

 days, which intervened between the firft and fecond ce- 

 remony of bathing, as they were perfuaded that an 

 omiflion of fuch a nature would ruin the fortune of the 

 child. Thefe rejoicings were repeated when they wean- 

 ed the child, which they commonly did at three years of 

 age (/). 



With refpe& to the marriages of the Mexicans, al- 

 though in them, as well as in all their cuftoms, fuper- 

 ftition had a great fliare, nothing, however, attended 

 them which was repugnant to decency or honour. Any 



marriage 



(/) In Guatemala it was ufual to make rejoicings as foon as the child began 

 to walk, and for feven years they continued to celebrate the anniverfary of m 

 birth. 



