Conquest of Mexico
Page 361 (1).—A common food with the lower classes was a glutinous scum found in the lakes, which they made into a sort of cake, having a savour not unlike cheese.—Bernal Diaz, Hist. dc la Conquista, cap. 92.
Page 361 (2).—One is confirmed in this inference by comparing the two maps at the end of the first edition of Bullock's Mexico; one of the modern city, the other of the ancient, taken from Boturini's museum, and showing its regular arrangement of streets and canals; as regular, indeed, as the squares on a chessboard.
Page 361 (3).—These immense masses, according to Martyr, who gathered his information from eye-witneses, were transported by means of long files of men, who dragged them with ropes over huge wooden rollers. De Orbe Novo, dec. 5, cap. 10.) It was the manner in which the Egyptians removed their enormous blocks of granite, as appears from numerous reliefs sculptured on their buildings.
Page 362 (1).—Rel. d'un gent., ap. Ramusio, tom. iii. fol. 309.
Page 362 (2).—"Magnificent buildings," says the Licentiate Zuazo, speaking of the buildings in Anahuac generally, "save that not one was seen with a vaulted roof." (Carta, MS.) The writer made large and careful observation, the year after the Conquest. His assertion, if it be received, will settle a question much mooted among antiquaries.
Page 364 (1).—Herrera's account of these feathered insects, if one may so style them, shows the fanciful errors into which even men of science were led in regard to the new tribes of animals discovered in America: "There are some birds in the country of the size of butterflies, with long beaks, brilliant plumage, much esteemed for the curious work made of them. Like the bees, they live on flowers, and the dew which settles on them; and when the rainy season it over, and the dry weather set in, they fasten themselves to the trees by their beaks and soon die. But in the following year, when the new rains come, they come to life again!"—Hist. General, dec. 2, lib. 10, cap. 21.
Page 365 (1).—Montezuma, according to Gomara, would allow no fruit trees, considering them as unsuitable to pleasure-grounds. (Crónica, cap. 75.) Toribio says, to the same effect, "The natives of rank did not cultivate fruit trees, since fruit was supplied them by their vassals. But they planted shrubberies, where they grew roses and kept birds, both for the enjoyment of their song, and also to hunt them with the blow-gun, in the use of which they are very expert."— Hist. de los Indios, MS., Parte 3, cap. 6.
Page 365 (2).—Hist. de los Indios, MS., Parte 3, cap. 6.—Rel. Seg. de Cortés, ap. Lorenzana, pp. 111-113.—Oviedo, Hist. de las Ind., MS., lib. 33, cap. 11.
Page 366 (1).—Gama, a competent critic, who saw them just before their destruction, praises their execution.—Gama, Descripcion, Parte 9, pp. 81-83.—Also ante, p. 81.
Page 366 (2).—No less than one thousand, if we believe Gomara; who adds the edifying intelligence, "It happened that one hundred and fifty of the women were simultaneously with child."
Page 368 (1).—Bernal Diaz has given us a few items of the royal carte. The first cover is rather a startling one, being a fricassee or stew of little children! "carnes de muchachos de poca edad," He admits, however, that this is somewhat apocryphal.
Page 372 (1).—The feats of jugglers and tumblers were a favourite diversion with the Grand Khan of China, as Sir John Mandeville informs us. (Voiage and Travaille, chap. 22.) The Aztec mountebanks had such repute that Cortés sent two of them to Rome to amuse his Holiness Clement VII.—Clavigero, Stor. del Messico, tom. ii. p. 186.
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