The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 1/4, by William H. Prescott.

Boston, October 1, 1843.

Note.—The author’s emendations of this history include many additional notes, which, being often contradictory to the text, have been printed between brackets. They were chiefly derived from the copious annotations of Don José F. Ramirez and Don Lúcas Alaman to the two Spanish translations published in Mexico. There could be no stronger guarantee of the value and general accuracy of the work than the minute labor bestowed upon it by these distinguished scholars.—K.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I

BOOK I
INTRODUCTION—VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION
CHAPTER I
Ancient Mexico—Climate and Products—Primitive Races—Aztec Empire
	PAGE
Extent of the Aztec Territory	4
The Hot Region	5
Volcanic Scenery	7
Cordillera of the Andes	8
Table-land in the Days of the Aztecs	9
Valley of Mexico	10
The Toltecs	12
Their mysterious Disappearance	16
Races from the Northwest	17
Their Hostilities	19
Foundation of Mexico	21
Domestic Feuds	22
League of the kindred Tribes	23
Rapid Rise of Mexico	25
Prosperity of the Empire	26
Criticism on Veytia’s History	27
CHAPTER II
Succession to the Crown—Aztec Nobility—Judicial System—Laws and Revenues—Military Institutions
Election of the Sovereign	34
His Coronation	37
Aztec Nobles	38
Their barbaric Pomp	39
Tenure of their Estates	40
Legislative Power	41
Judicial System	42
Independent Judges	43
Their Mode of Procedure	44
Showy Tribunal	45
Hieroglyphical Paintings	46
Marriage Rites	49
Slavery in Mexico	49
Royal Revenues	51
Burdensome Imposts	54
Public Couriers	55
Military Enthusiasm	56
Aztec Ambassadors	57
Orders of Knighthood	57
Gorgeous Armor	58
National Standard	59
Military Code	60
Hospitals for the Wounded	61
Influence of Conquest on a Nation	63
Criticism on Torquemada’s History	64
Abbé Clavigero	65
CHAPTER III
Mexican Mythology—The Sacerdotal Order—The Temples—Human Sacrifices
Systems of Mythology	67
Mythology of the Aztecs	68
Ideas of a God	69
Sanguinary War-god	70
God of the Air	71
Mystic Legends	72
Division of Time	75
Future State	76
Funeral Ceremonies	77
Baptismal Rites	78
Monastic Orders	80
Feasts and Flagellation	82
Aztec Confessional	82
Education of the Youth	83
Revenue of the Priests	85
Mexican Temples	86
Religious Festivals	88
Human Sacrifices	89
The Captive’s Doom	90
Ceremonies of Sacrifice	91
Torturing of the Victim	92
Sacrifice of Infants	92
Cannibal Banquets	93
Number of Victims	94
Houses of Skulls	95
Cannibalism of the Aztecs	99
Criticism on Sahagun’s History	101
CHAPTER IV
Mexican Hieroglyphics—Manuscripts—Arithmetic—Chronology—Astronomy
Dawning of Science	105
Picture-writing	106
Aztec Hieroglyphics	108
Manuscripts of the Mexicans	109
Emblematic Symbols	110
Phonetic Signs	111
Materials of the Aztec Manuscripts	114
Form of their Volumes	115
Destruction of most of them	116
Remaining Manuscripts	117
Difficulty of deciphering them	120
Minstrelsy of the Aztecs	123
Theatrical Entertainments	124
System of Notation	124
Their Chronology	126
The Aztec Era	129
Calendar of the Priests	132
Science of Astrology	135
Astrology of the Aztecs	136
Their Astronomy	137
Wonderful Attainments in this Science	138
Remarkable Festival	140
Carnival of the Aztecs	142
Lord Kingsborough’s Work	143
Criticism on Gama	144
CHAPTER V
Aztec Agriculture—Mechanical Arts—Merchants—Domestic Manners
Mechanical Genius	146
Agriculture	147
Mexican Husbandry	148
Vegetable Products	150
Mineral Treasures	153
Skill of the Aztec Jewellers	155
Sculpture	156
Huge Calendar-stone	157
Aztec Dyes	159
Beautiful Feather-work	160
Fairs of Mexico	161
National Currency	161
Trades	162
Aztec Merchants	163
Militant Traders	163
Domestic Life	165
Kindness to Children	166
Polygamy	166
Condition of the Sex	167
Social Entertainments	167
Use of Tobacco	168
Culinary Art	169
Agreeable Drinks	170
Dancing	171
Intoxication	172
Criticism on Boturini’s Work	173
CHAPTER VI
Tezcucans—Their Golden Age—Accomplished Princes—Decline of their Monarchy
The Alcolhuans or Tezcucans	176
Prince Nezahualcoyotl	177
His Persecution	178
His Hair-breadth Escapes	179
His wandering Life	180
Fidelity of his Subjects	181
Triumphs over his Enemies	182
Remarkable League	183
General Amnesty	183
The Tezcucan Code	184
Departments of Government	184
Council of Music	185
Its Censorial Office	185
Literary Taste	186
Tezcucan Bards	188
Royal Ode	188
Resources of Nezahualcoyotl	191
His magnificent Palace	192
His Gardens and Villas	193
Address of the Priest	195
His Baths	197
Luxurious Residence	198
Existing Remains of it	199
Royal Amours	200
Marriage of the King	202
Forest Laws	203
Strolling Adventures	204
Munificence of the Monarch	205
His Religion	206
Temple to the Unknown God	208
Philosophic Retirement	209
His plaintive Verses	209
Last Hours of Nezahualcoyotl	211
His Character	213
Succeeded by Nezahualpilli	214
The Lady of Tula	215
Executes his Son	216
Effeminacy of the King	217
His consequent Misfortunes	217
Death of Nezahualpilli	218
Tezcucan Civilization	219
Criticism on Ixtlilxochitl’s Writings	220
———
ORIGIN OF THE MEXICAN CIVILIZATION—ANALOGIES WITH THE OLD WORLD
Preliminary Notice
Speculations on the New World	225
Manner of its Population	225
Plato’s Atlantis	226
Modern Theory	227
Communication with the Old World	228
Origin of American Civilization	230
Plan of the Essay	231
Analogies suggested by the Mexicans to the Old World	232
Their Traditions of the Deluge	233
Resemble the Hebrew Accounts	234
Temple of Cholula	234
Analogy to the Tower of Babel	235
The Mexican Eve	236
The God Quetzalcoatl	236
Natural Errors of the Missionaries	237
The Cross in Anahuac	238
Eucharist and Baptism	239
Chroniclers strive for Coincidences	241
Argument drawn from these	242
Resemblance of social Usages	245
Analogies from Science	246
Chronological System	247
Hieroglyphics and Symbols	247
Adjustment of Time	248
Affinities of Language	248
Difficulties of Comparison	251
Traditions of Migration	252
Tests of their Truth	253
Physical Analogies	254
Architectural Remains	256
Destructive Spirit of the Spaniards	257
Ruins in Chiapa and Yucatan	258
Works of Art	259
Tools for Building	260
Little Resemblance to Egyptian Art	261
Sculpture	262
Hieroglyphics	263
Probable Age of these Monuments	265
Their probable Architects	267
Difficulties in forming a Conclusion	269
Ignorance of Iron and of Milk	270
Unsatisfactory Explanations	271
General Conclusions	272
———
BOOK II
DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
CHAPTER I
Spain under Charles V.—Progress of Discovery—Colonial Policy—Conquest of Cuba—Expeditions to Yucatan
Condition of Spain	277
Increase of Empire	278
Cardinal Ximénes	279
Arrival of Charles the Fifth	279
Swarm of Flemings	280
Opposition of the Cortes	281
Colonial Administration	282
Spirit of Chivalry	283
Progress of Discovery	284
Advancement of Colonization	285
System of Repartimientos	285
Colonial Policy	286
Discovery of Cuba	287
Its Conquest by Velasquez	288
Cordova’s Expedition to Yucatan	289
His Reception by the Natives	291
Grijalva’s Expedition	292
Civilization in Yucatan	292
Traffic with the Indians	293
His Return to Cuba	294
His cool Reception	294
Ambitious Schemes of the Governor	295
Preparations for an Expedition	296
CHAPTER II
Hernando Cortés—His Early Life—Visits the New World—His Residence in Cuba—Difficulties with Velasquez—Armada intrusted to Cortés
Hernando Cortés	297
His Education	298
Choice of a Profession	299
Departure for America	300
Arrival at Hispaniola	301
His Mode of Life	302
Enlists under Velasquez	303
Habits of Gallantry	304
Disaffected towards Velasquez	304
Cortés in Confinement	305
Flies into a Sanctuary	306
Again put in Irons	307
His perilous Escape	307
His Marriage	308
Reconciled with the Governor	308
Retires to his Plantation	309
Armada intrusted to Cortés	311
Preparations for the Voyage	313
Instructions to Cortés	314
CHAPTER III
Jealousy of Velasquez—Cortés Embarks—Equipment of his Fleet—His Person and Character—Rendezvous at Havana—Strength of his Armament
Jealousy of Velasquez	317
Intrigues against Cortés	318
His clandestine Embarkation	319
Arrives at Macaca	320
Accession of Volunteers	321
Stores and Ammunition	322
Orders from Velasquez to arrest Cortés	323
He raises the Standard at Havana	324
Person of Cortés	325
His Character	326
Strength of Armament	327
Stirring Address to his Troops	329
Fleet weighs Anchor	330
Remarks on Estrella’s Manuscript	331
CHAPTER IV
Voyage to Cozumel—Conversion of the Natives—Jeronimo de Aguilar—Army arrives at Tabasco—Great Battle with the Indians—Christianity introduced
Disastrous Voyage to Cozumel	332
Humane Policy of Cortés	333
Cross found in the Island	334
Religious Zeal of the Spaniards	335
Attempts at Conversion	336
Overthrow of the Idols	338
Jerónimo de Aguilar	339
His Adventures	340
Employed as an Interpreter	342
Fleet arrives at Tabasco	342
Hostile Reception	343
Fierce Defiance of the Natives	344
Desperate Conflict	345
Effect of the Fire-arms	345
Cortés takes Tabasco	346
Ambush of the Indians	348
The Country in Arms	348
Preparations for Battle	349
March on the Enemy	350
Joins Battle with the Indians	351
Doubtful Struggle	352
Terror at the War-horse	352
Victory of the Spaniards	354
Number of Slain	355
Treaty with the Natives	356
Conversion of the Heathen	357
Catholic Communion	357
Spaniards embark for Mexico	358
CHAPTER V
Voyage along the Coast—Doña Marina—Spaniards land in Mexico—Interview with the Aztecs
Voyage along the Coast	359
Natives come on Board	360
Doña Marina	361
Her History	361
Her Beauty and Character	362
First Tidings of Montezuma	364
Spaniards land in Mexico	365
First Interview with the Aztecs	366
Their magnificent Presents	368
Cupidity of the Spaniards	369
Cortés displays his Cavalry	370
Aztec Paintings	370

	PAGE
The Landing of Cortés at Vera Cruz	Frontispiece
From a painting especially made for this edition by L. Kowalsky.
Map of the Country traversed by the Spaniards on their March to Mexico	1
Fra Bartolomé de las Casas	94
After an engraving in “Ritratos de los Espagnoles illustres, 1791.”
Our Lady of Guadaloupe	172
From a photograph by Waite, of Mexico.
Portrait of Charles V.	276
After the painting by Titian at Munich.
Portrait of Hernando Cortés	296
From an engraving by Masson, after the painting by Ant. Moro.

GENERAL CONTENTS

CONTENTS OF VOL. I

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

BOOK I