ARTS AND SCIENCES.

In order to convey some idea of the markets, or rather fairs of Mexico, and the other principal cities, so much celebrated by the historians, it will be sufficient to notice that held in the capital. Cortez described this as twice as large as that of Salamanca (one of the most famous in Spain) and surrounded by porticos for the convenience of the merchants. Every sort of merchandise had a particular place allotted to it by the judges of commerce; the number of merchants who daily assembled there according to the affirmation of Cortez exceeded fifty thousand. Clavegero says, that every five days this number collected, that there were every day assembled from twenty to twenty-five thousand, but at these great markets fifty thousand.' (See b., 7. p. 385.) He adds of the historians who attempt to describe them, that after a tedious enumeration, they conclude by saying it is impossible to express them all.' All the productions of the empire and adjacent countries were brought to be sold or exchanged in that vast square-all that could serve for the necessaries of life, the conveniences, the luxury, the vanity, the curiosity of man, were there; innumerable species of animals dead and alive, every sort of eatable, all the metals and gems, medical drugs, simples, gums, oils, minerals, prepared medicines, beverages, ointments, electaries, and every sort of manufacture, embroidery, &c. The potters, goldsmiths, jewellers, painters, stone-cutters, hunters, fishers, the fruiterers of hot countries, mat-weavers, chair-makers, and florests of Xochimlico, all assembled there.'

Certain commissioners were continually traversing the market to observe what happened, and prevent disorder. At the market of Tlascala, Cortez states that above three

thousand assembled, of merchants and others. Motolina mentions that forty years after the conquest, when commerce had greatly declined, at the fifth day market, there were not less than eight thousand European hens sold, and that as many were sold at the market of Acaplayocan.'

• The gem most esteemed by the Mexicans was the emerald,1 and they were so common that no lord or noble wanted them, and none of them died without having one placed on his body as his heart. An immensely large and valuable one, which the pious zeal of the first bishop induced him to reduce to powder, was called the HEART of the people.' It will be recollected that the stone of Aaron's breastplate, which represented Judah, was the emerald.

Acosta says, that "when Cortez entered Mexico, it contained 60,000 houses, in each of which there are two, three, and in some ten persons, by reason of which the city is wonderfully replenished with people." "The market-place,

1 Gomara affirms "that amongst other inestimable gems which Cortez took with him on his first return to Spain, he had five emeralds valued at 100,000 ducats, and for one of them a Genevese merchant offered 40,000, in order to sell it again to the Grand Signor. This was formed into a cup with a foot and four little golden chains, which were united by a large pearl in the form of a button; he had also two emerald vases valued at 300,000 ducats, which vases were lost by shipwreck. At present no such gems are wrought, indeed the mine is now unknown whence they were brought.' After enumerating a list of valuable and exquisitely formed gems, metals, and manufactures, Gomara says, "All these were more valuable for the workmanship, than even the materials. Their works of cast metal are not to be comprehended by our goldsmiths. This which was part of one of the many presents Montezuma made to Cortez, was sent by him to Charles v. in July 1519."

The splendour of the market is to be seen where articles of gold and feathers jointly wrought, are sold. They make butterflies, wild beasts, trees, flowers, roses, herbs in so natural a manner, that it is marvellous to behold; and workmen will turn a feather in the sun to find out its proper shade and position with a wonderful patience, &c. The goldsmiths cast in moulds or engrave with tools made of flint. They will cast a platter with eight corners, some of which are gold without any soldering: also fish, each alternate scale on the back, being of gold or silver. They cast an ape in a mould, with the hands and feet moveable, holding a spindle in his hand, seeming to spin, and an apple as if to eat.' The Spaniards were surprised to find their goldsmiths were not to be compared with those of Mexico. See Clavegero, b. 7, Sect. 80.

Cortez in his letters to the king of Spain, greatly extols the Mexican workmanship in gold, numerous specimens of which he transmitted to Spain. "What was sent to Spain, however exquisite the workmanship, was melted by order of the government; for from the earliest period, to the last day of her possessing power in Mexico, Spain studiously kept from the rest of the world all information relative to her foreign dominions, and more par ticularly of New Spain." Antiq. Mex. p. 332.

every fourth day is sometimes attended by 100,000 persons who came to barter their commodities from all parts of the kingdom."

THE LAW OF SLAVES.

The laws of the Indians respecting slaves were patriarchal ; Of these,' observes Clavegero, there were three kinds, the first were prisoners of war; the second those who were bought for a valuable consideration; the third were malefactors who were deprived of liberty in punishment of their crimes.' 'Among the Mexicans a slave was allowed to have cattle, to acquire property, and to have other slaves to serve him; nor could his owner hinder him, nor have service from such slaves; for slavery was only an obligation of personal service, and even that was under certain restrictions. Nor was slavery entailed on the descendants of slaves. Owners could not sell their slaves without their consent: unless they were those who had become such for the punishment of their crimes. Runaway, rebellious, or vicious slaves, had two or three warnings given them by their owners, which they gave for their justification in the presence of some witnesses; if, in spite of these admonitions, the slaves did not mend their conduct, a wooden collar was put about their necks, and then it was lawful to sell them at market. If a slave, collared in this manner, happened to escape from his place of confinement, and took refuge in the royal palace, he remained free; and the person who attempted to prevent his gaining this asylum, forfeited his liberty for the attempt, except it were the owner, or one of his children, who had a right to seize him. Slavery among the Mexicans was not hard to be borne; their labour was

T

moderate, and their treatment humane: when their masters died they generally became free.1

Respecting marriage, the Abbe Clavegero observes, 'Although in them, superstition had a share, nothing was mingled with it which was in the least degree repugnant to decency and honour.2 Persons related in the first degrees of consangunity were strictly prohibited to marry with each other. The parents settled all the marriages, and none were ever executed without their consent.' A favourable answer being obtained, and a day appointed for the nuptials, the parents after exhorting their daughter to fidelity and obedience to her husband, and to such conduct in life as would do honour to her family, conducted her with a numerous company and music to the house of her father-in-law; if noble she was carried in a litter. The bridegroom, together with his father and mother, received her at the gate of the house with four torches borne by four women. fire was kept lighted, and they sat down on a new and curiously embroidered mat; while the priest tied the corner of the robe of the bride, with the tilmatli, or mantle, of the

The

1 The ancient Silenian law killed all the slaves at the death of their owner. The Aquilian law made no distinction between a wound given to a slave, and that given to a beast. But in none of the early periods of the world's history; and by no heathen nation have slaves been so inhumanly treated as by the representatives of Christendom. The act of stealing them from their country, of itself constitutes a new feature of slavery, while the denial to them of human rightswhich is another term for their being the victims of irresponsible and arbitrary power, is one of the anomalies of what have been erroneously called gospel times. 2 Clavegero writes, "The Mexicans did not obtain their wives but by lawful and honourable pretensions; and though they presented gifts to the parents, they were given not as a price for the daughter, but merely as a piece of civility," &c. If a freeman married a bondwoman, he was not justified on the plea of his love; for a man derogates from the dignity of human nature when he suffers any passion to usurp the mastery over his reason.' He adds, 'The manners of the Mexicans were virtuous and becoming, those of the Romans scandalous and reprehensible.'

3 The marriages of the Mexicans, like those of the Jews, were all by torchlight-in the night: and to this our Lord alludes in his prophetic allusion to his second coming, as the Bridegroom to His expecting and redeemed people.Matthew xxv. 5, 6.

bridegroom, and in this ceremony the matrimonial contract chiefly consisted. They passed four days in prayer, and fasting, and burning incense. On the fourth the marriage was consummated, bathing and making presents, and receiving visits followed.'

Clavegero observes, At the birth of a child these words were addressed to the infant on bathing it in water. 'Receive this water-may this bath cleanse the spots which thou bearest from thy mother's womb-purify thy heart, and yield thee a good and perfect life.' Then addressing her prayer to the Deity, she demanded blessings for the child, and taking up the water again with her right hand, she breathed upon it; wetting the mouth, head, and breast of the child, saying,May the invisible God descend upon this water, and cleanse thee from every stain of guilt and impurity, and redeem thee from evil.' Then turning to the child, she addressed it thus: Lovely infant, the Gods have created thee in the highest heaven, in order to send thee into this world; but know that the life to which thou art entering is sad and painful, and replete with trouble and misery; nor wilt thou be enabled to eat thy bread without labour; and may God assist thee in the many adversities which await thee.' Clavegero adds, the birth of male children are attended with solemnity and superstition.'

With respect to the ancient usages in burying the dead, the Abbe goes on to say, In the tombs of the rich they put gold and jewels, &c. The Spanish knowing of the gold which was buried with the Mexican lords in their tombs, dug up several, and found considerable quantities of that precious metal. Cortez says in his letters, that his soldiers at one entry to the capital, found 250 ounces of gold in one sepulchre; at another sepulchre they found 3000 castellanos, or double the former quantity.'