LETTER XVIH. 
PRIESTS. TEMPLES. SACRIFICES. 
The Priests have always borne an important part in Mexican affairs, 
and it is stated, upon good authority, that at the height of the power of 
the Empire, they numbered not less than one million in the service of the 
different idols. 
They were divided into different orders, and there were both monks and 
priests, as among the Catholics. Women, also, entered into the sacred 
order, and performed all the duties usually assigned to the males, except 
that of sacrifiGe. The monks were called Hamacazques, and the priests 
Teopixqui. 
They had two chiefs, who obtained their rank and power by lives of 
exemplary probity and virtue, and by a profound acquaintance with all 
the rites and mysteries of their religion. These were the "diviners" or 
soothsayers, who were consulted by the authorities on all high matters of 
state, both in peace and war. They officiated at the most solemn of their 
sacrifices, and crowned the sovereign upon his accession to the throne. 
On the principal festivals their dress was splendid, and bore the insignia 
of the god in whose honor they officiated. To the minor priesthood, 
all the humble duties of the temples were assigned ; they cleaned the 
sacred edifice, educated the young, took care of the holy pictures, and 
observed the Calendar. 
Nor did they lack a resemblance to portions of the Catholic clergy, in 
the austerity and mortification of their lives. Not only did they wear 
sackcloth next their skin and apply the scourge in secret, but they shed 
their own blood; pierced themselves with the sharp points of the aloe; and 
bored their ears, lips, tongues, arms and legs, by introducing fragments 
of cane, which they gradually increased in size, as their wounds began to 
heal. Their fasts, too, were long and severe. 
Eacl: sex lived apart, leading a life of celibacy, in monastic establish- 
ments, and their income was derived from lands set aside for their main- 
tenance, — separate revenues being devoted to the support of the Temple. 
