352 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



The king went to his palace, and Cortes immediately 

 ordered a volley of all the artillery to be fired, in order 

 to awe and intimidate the Mexicans by the found: in 

 the mean while, he went to fee all the chambers of the 

 palace where his people were to lodge. This edifice 

 was fo large, that both the Spaniards and their allies, 

 who, together with their women and fervants whom 

 they brought with them, exceeded feven thoufand in 

 number, were accommodated in it ; every where there 

 was the greateft cleanlinefs and neatnefs, almoff. all the 

 chambers had beds of mats, of rufhes, and palm, accord- 

 ing to the cullom, and other mats in a round form for 

 pillows, with coverlets of fine cotton, and feats made 

 of fingle pieces of wood; fome chambers had the floor 

 covered with mats, and the walls alfo covered with ta- 

 peftries of cotton of various colours. The walls were 

 moderately thick, and at certain diftances there were 

 little towers; the Spaniards therefore found every thing 

 which they could wifh for their fecurity. The indefati- 

 gable and cautious general immediately diflributed his 

 guards, placed a battery of his cannon facing the gate 

 of the palace, and took as much care to fortify himfelf 

 as if he had expected to be affaulted that night by his 

 enemies. That day there was a magnificent entertain- 

 ment prepared for Cortes and his officers, and ferved 

 by the nobility, and for the reft of the army were 

 brought various and abundant provifions, though of an 

 inferior quality. This day, not more memorable to the 

 Spaniards than to the Mexicans, was the eighth day of 

 November, 15 19, feven months after their arrival in 

 the country of Anahuac. 



BOOK. 



