HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



193 



tolled them with the higheft: praifes, and were unable to 

 exprefs in words the admirable difpofition, and the won- 

 derful order which was maintained among fo great a 

 multitude of merchants and merchandizes. 



The markets of Tezcuco, Tiafcala, Cholula, Huex- 

 otzinco, and other large places, were ordered in the 

 fame manner as that of Mexico. At the market of 

 Tiafcala, Cortes affirms, more than thirty thoufand mer- 

 chants and others affembled (V). At that of Tepeyacac, 

 which was not one of the largeft cities, Motolinia above 

 mentioned fays, he has known twenty-four years after 

 the conqueft, when the commerce of thofe people was 

 greatly declined, that at the market held every five days, 

 there were not lefs than eight thoufand European hens 

 fold, and that as many were fold at the market of Aca- 

 pitlayocan. 



When young merchants were defirous of undertaking 

 a long journey, they gave an entertainment to the old 

 merchants, who were no longer able on account of their 

 age to travel, and alfo to their own relations, and in- 

 formed them of their defign, and the motive which in- 

 duced them to travel into diftant countries. 



Thofe who were invited praifed their refolution, en- 

 couraged them to follow the fteps of their anceftors, 

 particularly if it was their firfl journey which they were 

 going to perform, and gave feveral advices to them how 

 they were to conduct themfelves. In general, many of 

 them travelled together for greater fafety. Each of 

 them carried in his hand a fmooth black flick, which, as 

 they faid, was the image of their god Jacateuclli, with 



Vol. II. B b which 



(z) That which Cortes has faid refpe&ing the number of merchants and 

 dealers which alTembled at the market of Tiafcala, ought moft probably to be 

 underftood of the market of every five days, in the fame manner as we have 

 obferved above reflecting that of Mexico. 



