110 MEXICO. 
lous notion of an aristocracy was carried by them even to the other world ; 
and while the nobles animated gorgeous birds and dazzling clouds, and 
floated in the purest air, the souls of the common people were doomed 
to crawl in weasels, beetles, and the meaner animals. 
The spirits of those who were drowned, or struck by lightning; of those 
who died with dropsy, tumors, wounds, or similar diseases ; went, with 
the souls of children who had either been drowned or sacrificed in honor 
of Tlaloc, "the god of the Water," to a delicious place named Tlalocan, 
■where that god resided, surrounded by everything that could contribute 
to pleasure and happiness. 
The third place of departed spirits was Mictlan or Hell. This was a 
kingdom of w/icr darkness, ruled by a god and goddess, and the gloomy 
blackness of the realm was the only punishment. Clavigero thinks that the 
Mexicans placed this hell in the centre of the earth — and it may have 
been but a type of titter annihilation. 
They had some imperfect ideas of a Supreme God, whom they feared 
and adored, yet represented by no external form, because they believed 
him to be invisible . He was generally spoken of as Teotl — God — but 
was known, also, by the name of Ipalnemoani, " He by whom we live;" 
and Tloque Nahuaque, " He who has all in himself." They had also 
an Evil spirit, inimical to mankind, called Tlaleatecolototl, '•' the Rational 
Owl." This spirit was said to appear frequently to men, to terrify or 
injure them ; but there is no distinct history of this wicked power, or of 
their religious system as applied to it. After Teotl — the Supreme in- 
visible Beino- — there were thirteen others worshipped in Mexico as prin- 
cipal gods. 
Tetzcatlipoca, the " Shining Mirror ;" " the God of providence ; the 
Soul of the world ; the Creator of heaven and earth ; the Master of all 
things." 
Ometeuctli and Omecihtjatl, a god and goddess, who granted mor- 
tals their wishes. These divinities appear to have presided over new-born 
children, and reigned in the " celestial paradise." 
CiHUACOHUATL, or "Woman Serpent;" also called Quilaztli or Toua- 
cacihua: "woman of our flesh;" was held to be the mother of the human 
race, and was venerated next to Ometeuctli and Omecihuatl. 
To^^4TRICLI and Meztli, the sun and moon deified ; of whom I shall 
have occasion to say something in describing the pyramids of St. Juan 
Teotihuacan. 
QuETZALCOATL, concerning whom I have already written in my letter 
on^holula. 
Tlaloc, " the god of Water ;" the fertilizer of the soil, the protector of 
temporal goods. His image was painted blue and green, to represent the 
hues of water, and in his hand he held an undulating and pointed rod to 
signify his control over storms and lightning. 
XiUHTEUCTLi, " master of the year and grass ;" the god of Fire. An 
oblation of the first morsel and the first draught at dinner, was always 
