112 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



as to be of itfelf fufficient to retort the fupercilious con- 

 tempt of certain critics upon themfelves, who believe the 

 empire of reafon to be circumfcribed to the boundaries 

 of Europe. In whatever we fay on this fubjedt we fhall 

 be guided by the paintings of thofe nations, and their bed 

 informed hiftorians. 



Nothing, fays F. Acofta, has furprifed me more, or 

 appeared more worthy of memory and praife, than the 

 care and method which the Mexicans obferved in the 

 tuition of youth. It would be difficult, indeed, to find 

 a nation that has beftowed more attention on a point fo 

 important to every ftate. It is true, they mixed fuper- 

 ftition with their precepts ; but the zeal they manifefted 

 for the education of their children, upbraids the negli- 

 gence of our modern fathers of families ; and many of 

 the leffons which they taught to their youth might ferve 

 as inftruction to ours. All the Mexican children, even 

 thofe of the royal family, were fuckled by their own 

 parents. If the mother was prevented from doing this 

 by ficknefs, (he did not employ a nurfe till fhe was well 

 informed both of her condition in life, and the quality of 

 her milk. They were accuitomed from infancy to endure 

 hunger, heat, and cold. When they attained five years 

 of age, they were either configned to the priefts, in order 

 that they might be brought up in the feminaries, which 

 was the general practice with the children of nobles, and 

 even with thofe of the kings themfelves ; or if they were 

 to be educated at home, their parents began at that period 

 to inftrucl: them in the worfhip of their gods, and to teach 

 them the forms by which they were to pray and implore 

 their protection. They were led frequently to the tem- 

 ple, that they might become attached to religion. An 

 abhorrence of vice, a modefty of behaviour, refpecl: to 



fuperiors, 



