HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



115 



prieft, to be inftructed in the rites of religion ; the other 

 to the Achcauhtli, or officer of the militia, to be inftruct- 

 ed in the military art. The fifty-fourth, fhews the youth 

 of the feminaries employed by their fuperiors in fweep- 

 ing the temple, and in carrying branches of trees and 

 herbs to adorn the fanctuaries, wood for the ftoves, 

 ruflies to make feats, and ftones and lime to repair the 

 temple* In this fame painting, and in the fifty-fifth, the 

 different punifhments inflicted on youth, who have com- 

 mitted trefpafies, by their fuperiors, are alfo reprefented. 

 One of them pricks a youth with the fpines of the aloe 

 for having neglected his duty : two prieffo throw burn- 

 ing firebrands on the head of another youth, for having 

 been caught in familiar difcourfe with a young woman. 

 They prick the body of another with fharp pine flakes, 

 and another for difobedience is punifhed by having his 

 hair burned. Lafhly, is exhibited a youth carrying the 

 baggage of a prieft, who goes along with the army to 

 encourage the foldiers in war, and to perform certain 

 fuperftitious ceremonies. 



Their children were bred to fland fo much in awe of 

 their parents, that even when grown up and married, 

 they hardly durft fpeak before them. In fhort, the in- 

 flections and advice which they received were of fuch 

 a nature, that I cannot difpenfe with tranfcribing fome 

 of the exhortations employed by them, the knowledge 

 of which was obtained from the Mexicans themfelves by 

 the firfl religious miffionaries who were employed in their 

 converfion, particularly Motolinia, Olmos, and Sahagun, 

 who acquired a perfect knowledge of the Mexican lan- 

 guage, and made the mofl diligent inquiry into their 

 manners and cufloms. 



" My 



