348 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



the little illand of Mexico, which was paved for more 

 than feven miles, and made on the lake many years be- 

 fore. The population of Iztapalapan confuted then of 

 more than twelve thoufand houfes, built chiefly on fe- 

 veral little iflands contiguous to each other and the fame 

 peninfula, clofe to which were innumerable floating 

 fields and gardens. This city was then governed by 

 the prince Cuitlahuatzin, brother of Montezuma, and 

 his immediate fucceffor in the crown of Mexico, who, 

 together with his other brother Matlatzincatzin lord of 

 the city of Cojohuacan, received Cortes with the fame 

 ceremonies ufed by the other lords through whofe cities 

 he paflfed. He was complimented in an elegant ha- 

 rangue, and he, and his troops which accompanied him, 

 lodged in his own palace. This was an extenfive and 

 moll capacious edifice of (tone and lime, frefh built, 

 and not yet completed : befides many halls and cham- 

 bers of excellent accommodation, the roofs of which 

 were cedar, and the walls covered with fine cotton ta- 

 peflry, and befides many large fquares where the al- 

 lied troops were quartered, it had a garden of furpriz- 

 ing extent and beauty, already defcribed by us when 

 we treated of the agriculture of the Mexicans. After 

 dinner the prince conducted his guefls to this garden, 

 where they received great recreation, and were impref- 

 fed with a very elevated idea of Mexican magnificence. 

 In this city the Spaniards obferved, that inflead of mur- 

 murings and complaints as elfewhere, they heard no- 

 thing but praifes of the government ; fuppofed to have 

 been owing to the neighbourhood of the court, which 

 made the inhabitants more-cautious in fpeaking. 



The next day the Spaniards marched along that road 

 which united, as we have already mentioned, Iztapala- 

 pan 



