CHOLULAN MYTHOLOGY. 29 
Now of this god Quetzalcoatl, we have the following story, which is 
given by Dr. M'Culloh, the most learned and laborious of writers upon 
American antiquities. 
" Quetzalcoatl, or the ' Feathered Serpent,' was among the Mexi- 
cans, and all other nations of Auahuac, ' god of the air.' He was 
said to have been once high priest of Tula. They figured him tall, huge, 
of a fair complexion, broad forehead, large eyes, long black hair and 
flowing beard. From a love of decency he wore always a long robe, 
which was repre:sented to have been spotted all over with red crosses. 
He was so rich that he had palaces of gold, silver, and precious stones. 
He was thought to possess the greatest industry, and to have invented the 
art of melting metals, and cutting gems. He was supposed to have had 
the most profound vvdsdom, which he displayed in the laws he left to man- 
kind, and, above all, the most rigid and exemplary manners. Whenever 
he intended promulgating a law to his kingdom, he ordei'ed a crier to the 
top of the mountain Tzatzitepec, or ' Mil of shouting ;' near the city of 
Tula, from whence his voice teas heard for three hundred miles. In his 
time the corn grew so strong that a single ear was a load for a man. 
Gourds were as long as a man's body. It was unnecessary to dye 
cotton, for it grew of all colors ; all their fruits were in the same abund- 
ance, and of an extraordinary size. There was also at that period, an 
incredible number of beautiful and sweet-singing birds. In a word, the 
Mexicans imagined as much happiness under the priesthood of Quetzal- 
coatl, as the Greeks did under the reign of Saturn, whom this Mexican 
god also resembled in the exile he suffered. 
" Amid all this prosperity Tezcatlipoca, their supi'eme but visible god, 
(we know not for what reason,) wishing to drive him from Tula, appeared 
to him in the form of an aged man, and told him it was the will of the 
gods that he should be taken to the kingdom of Tlapalla. At the same 
time he offered him a beverage, which was readily accepted, in hopes of 
obtaining that immortality after which he aspired. He no sooner drank 
it than he felt himself so strongly tempted to go to Tlapalla, that he set 
out at once, accompanied by many of his faithful subjects. Near the 
city of Quauhtitlan, he i»jlled a ti'ee with stones, which remained fixed 
in the trunk ; and at Tlalnepautla he laid his hand upon a stone and left 
an impression which the Mexicans showed to the Spaniards. Upon his 
arrival at Cholula the citizens detained him, and made him take the 
government of their city. He showed much aversion to cruelty, and 
could not bear the mention of war. To him, the Cholulans say, they 
owe their knowledge of melting metals, the laws by which they were 
afterward governed, the rites and ceremonies of their religion, and, as 
some say, the arrangement of their seasons and calendar. After resi- 
ding for 20 years in Cholula, he resolved to pursue his journey to his 
imaginary kingdom of Tlapalla, carrying along M'ith him four noble and 
virtuous youths ; but, on arriving at the maritime province of Coatzaco- 
alcO; he dismissed them, and desired them to assure the Cholulans that 
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