# About Mexico - Past and Present/Contents

Illustrations
CONTENTS.
PAGE :
| CHAPTER I. ||
| A HIDDEN CONTINENT. ||
| Columbus the Pathfinder.—The first Sight of Mexicans.—The Delusion of the Age.—Mexico before the Conquest.—Geography of the Country.—Climate.—Productions | 17 |
| CHAPTER II. ||
| EARLY SETTLERS OF MEXICO. ||
| Votan—Whom did he Find in Mexico?—Old Paths thither.—A New Nation.—Toltec Remains.—The History of a Word | 29 |
| CHAPTER III. ||
| THE VALLEY REPEOPLED. ||
| Village Indians.—Dialects.—Aztecs.—Maps and Histories.—Character.—Mexico Founded.—The City Described.—Tezcuco.—Ruined Cities.—Communistic Society.—Pueblos | 36 |
| CHAPTER IV. ||
| LAWS AND LAWGIVERS. ||
| Mistakes of Early Historians.—Indian Republics.—Modern Indian Communism.—The Aztec Clan.—Secession.—The Tezcucans.—The Confederacy.—Tribal Council.—The Chief-of Men.—Tribal Laws | 50 ​ |
| CHAPTER V. ||
| ON THE WAR-PATH. ||
| A Nation of Warriors.—To Arms!—Armor.—Dress.—Commissary Department.—The Fight for Chapultepec.—The Price of an Election.—Tactics in War.—The Banner of the Tribe.—The Captives.—Triumphal Processions.—Foray in 1497.—Effects of War | 61 |
| CHAPTER VI. ||
| SACRED PLACES AND PEOPLE. ||
| The Home of the Gods.—Star-Worship.—The One True God.—An Aztec Martyr.—The Temple of Hungry Fox.—The WarGod and his Brother.—The Hearer of Prayer.—Feathered Serpent and his Work.—Too much Pulque.—The Temple of the Fair God.—Great Teocallis.—Priests | 70 |
| CHAPTER VII. ||
| THE HABITATIONS OF CRUELTY. ||
| The Aztec Hereafter.—Human Sacrifices.—Cannibalism.—Penances.—Self-Sacrifice.—Year-Binding | 83 |
| CHAPTER VIII. ||
| CIVILIZATION OF MEXICO. ||
| Surprising Ignorance.—A New Species of God.—Freight-Carriers.—Merchants.—A Mexican Home.—Currency.—Markets.—Baths.—Gardens.—Tyranny of Custom.—Manners.—Cookery.—Dress.—Appearance.—Art-Work.—Funerals | 92 |
| CHAPTER IX. ||
| AMONG THE BOOKS. ||
| Origin of Written Language.—Indian Written Languages Compared.—Varieties in Penmanship.—Mexican Authors.—Their Eomish Imitators.—Celebrated Manuscripts.—Make-Up of an Aztec Book.—Language.—An Indian Poet.—Numeration.—Measurement of Time | 105 ​ |
| CHAPTER X. ||
| CHILD-LIFE IN MEXICO. ||
| Endurance.—Obedience to Parents.—Penances.—An Indian Baby.—Naming a Man.—Housekeeping in Anahuac.—Steps in Education.—Discipline.—Public Schools.—Girls' Work in the Temple.—Boys' Work.—Amusements.—Mimic War.—Fishing-Day.—Snaring Game.—Cadet-Life.—GraduatingDay.—Marriage.—A Midnight Bevel.—Motherly Care.—Sick Children.—Baby-Victims.—The Youth of Hungry Fox | 113 |
| CHAPTER XI. ||
| A GATHERING CLOUD. ||
| Strange News in Mexico.—Aztec Tyranny.—Old Hopes Revived.—Portents.—Montezuma's Fear.—The Earliest Spanish Colonies.—Slave-Hunts.—Grijalva's Expedition.—Hernandez Cortez.—Unwelcome Guests.—Soldier-Missionaries.—First Lessons in Christianity | 128 |
| CHAPTER XII. ||
| NEW SPAIN. ||
| A Cool Reception.—Taking Possession with the Sword.—The First Tribute.—Palm Sunday.—A Welcome at Last.—The Camp on the Beach.—Teuthile.—Marina, the first American Christian.—Presents to Montezuma.—Startling Despatches.—Presents sent Home to Spain.—" Come no Farther."—First Sermon to Aztecs.—A Great Surprise.—Totonacan Visitors.—Exploration | 140 |
| CHAPTER XIII. ||
| CEMPOALLA TO TLASCALA. ||
| New Seville.—Hospitalities.—New Allies.—Cortez as a Missionary.—The New Encampment.—The Thin Edge of a Wedge.—Anxiety in Mexico.—Another Aztec Embassy.—Breach Widens Between Old Foes.—Spanish Duplicity.—A Eeligious Visit.—Change of Public Sentiment in Mexico.—March from Cempoalla.—Sinking the Ships.—Beauties of the Eoad.—A Frigid Zone.—A Highland Chief.—Tlascala.—A Week of Battles.—Spanish Victories in Peace and in War | 151 ​ |
| CHAPTER XIV. ||
| HO FOR THE CAPITAL! ||
| Are they Gods, or are they Men?—An Aztec Plot.—Reception in Cholula.—The Snare Discovered.—Cruel Vengeance.—The Business of Conversion.—One Ray of Gospel Light.—More Aztec Gifts.—Aztec Position Explained.—The Road to Mexico Blocked.—Ascending a Volcano.—Another Embassy | 169 |
| CHAPTER XV. ||
| MEXICO REACHED AT LAST. ||
| First View of City.—A Thrilling Message.—An Indian Fortress.—Beautiful Iztapalapa.—Reception in Mexico.—Indian Etiquette.—Montezuma's Visit.—His Story.—The Spanish Quarters.—Visiting Montezuma.—A Sermon.—Two Parties in Mexico.—More Preaching.—Were the Aztecs Cannibals?—The Secret Chamber | 183 |
| CHAPTER XVI. ||
| A CAPTIVE CHIEF. ||
| The Aztecs at Home.—Bad News from Villa Rica.—Plots and Counterplots.—The Spaniards not Gods.—Seizure of Montezuma.—Spanish Justice.—The Humbled Chief.—The Pleasures of Captivity.—Search for a Harbor.—A Southern Colony | 195 |
| CHAPTER XVII. ||
| THE AZTECS REBEL. ||
| Aztec Conspiracy.—The Tezcucan Chief.—Arrested.—Aztecs Swear Allegiance.—A Spanish Quarrel.—Cortez Demands the Temple.—Fears of Aztec Revolt.—The Spaniards Consent to Go.—Shipbuilding.—Enemies from Cuba.—Cortez makes Friends of Enemies.—Conquers Narvaez.—Bad News from Mexico,—Return of Cortez.—Alvarado's Cruelty.—Aztec Vengeance.—Siege of the Garrison.—The Death of Montezuma.—A Fight on the Temple-Roof.—The War-God has a Tumble.—Moving Fortresses.—Bridges Destroyed.—The Noche Triste | 203 ​ |
| CHAPTER XVIII. ||
| MEXICO SHALL BE CONQUERED ||
| A Rally at Tlacopan—Retreat to Tlascala.—Victory at Otumba.—What will Tlascala Say?—Indian Hospitality.—Juan Yuste—An Aztec Bribe—A Successful Foray.—Preparations to Attack Mexico.—Death of the White Man's Friend.—Overlooking Mexico.—Deserted Tezcuco.—New Allies.—Subduing the Valley.—New Boats.—Plans for Attack.—Cutting the Causeway.—Spaniards on a High Altar.—Fire and Sword—The Tribes Rally.—Cortez Destroys the City.—Guatemozin Captured | 221 |
| CHAPTER XIX. ||
| THE HEEL OF THE OPPRESSOR. ||
| Ruined Mexico.—Extending Conquests.—Search for South Seas. Rebuilding the City.—Guatemozin Betrayed.—Spanish Cruelty.—Converting the People.—Cortez Sends for Missionary Helpers.—Their Character.—Spiritual and Financial Success.—Conservative Indians.—The Monks Befriend them.—Abuses of Power.—Enslavement of Indians.—The Council of the Indies.—Rebellion.—The Chiefs on Horseback.—Riveting the Chains.—Draining Lake Zumpango.—Teaching the Indians. | 238 |
| CHAPTER XX. ||
| VICEROYALTY. ||
| Sufferings of Colonists.—The Seven Cities of Cibola.—Uncivilizing Mexico.—The World's Treasure-House—New-World Gold for Old-World Wars.—Buying Heaven with Cash.—The Pope and his Imperial Partner.—The Inquisition Set Up.—Expulsion of Jesuits.—Splendid Churches.—Mexican Christianity a Failure.—Those Gachupines!—Loyalty to Spain.—Hidalgo's Shout for Independence.—His Betrayal and Death.—Nursing a Roman Viper.—The First Congress and its Constitution.—Morelos and his Heroes.—His Martyrdom | 259 ​ |
| CHAPTER XXI. ||
| MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE. ||
| Liberty Bides her Time.—Shall the Bourbons be Restored?—Iturbide's Blow for Independence.—The Plan of Iguala.—Victoria Guadalupe.—The Emperor Iturbide.—His Mistake.—His Exile.—His Death.—The Last Foothold of Spain.—Benito Juarez.—Rise of the Church Party.—The Law of Juarez.—The Constitution of 1857.—European Interference.—King-Making, and what Came of It.—Maximilian's Death.—Progress of Constitutional Liberty.—Present State of Mexico | 277 |
| CHAPTER XXII. ||
| TO MEXICO BY RAIL. ||
| The Mountain of the Star.—Vera Cruz.—The Castle.—Through the Hot Lands.—Climbing the Sierras.—Indian Hucksters.—Orizaba.—The City of Mexico.—Its Mountain-Sentinels.—Gardens.—Markets.—Water-Works.—Grand Plaza.—Paseos.—Alameda.—Memories of the Inquisition.—Churches for Sale.—The Grand Cathedral.—Aztec Belies.—The Mexican Fourth of July.—Streets and Houses.—City Improvements.—Education.—Illiteracy.—Worshipers.—Street Scenes.—Chapultepec.—Sulphur-Factory in a Volcano.—The Two Virgins.—Their Political Friends | 307 |
| CHAPTER XXIII. ||
| THE LAND: ITS PRODUCTS AND CITIES. ||
| Present Limits of Mexico.—Its Harbors.—Prospective Changes.—Tunneling Volcanoes.—Road-Makers.—Unexplored Regions.—The Siesta.—The Seasons.—Want of Forests.—The Cactus Family.—The Maguey and Pulque.—Intemperance.—"An Agricultural Cosmos."—Mines.—Indian Character.—The Mozo.—Railroading.—Burros.—Mexican Homes.—Population.—The Hacienda.—Old Tezcuco and Tula.—Monterey and its Suburbs.—Chihuahua.—Zacatecas.—Guanajuato.—Queretaro.—Guadalajara.—Puebla | 336 ​ |
| CHAPTER XXIV. ||
| "A LIGHT THAT SHINETH IN A DARK PLACE." ||
| The Gospel in the Sixteenth Century.—Political Influence of Luther's Bible.—Romish Antagonism.—Bible Translations.—The Translation of Enzinas.—Escape from the Inquisition.—The Iron Rule in Mexico.—The Circulation of the Bible in Mexico.—A Reading-Circle in the Fields.—The Story of San Roman.—Miss Rankin the Pioneer Missionary.—Blessed Results | 360 |
| CHAPTER XXV. ||
| REGENERATION OF MEXICO. ||
| Praying in an Unknown Tongue.—Francisco Aguilar.—The Church of Jesus.—Death of Aguilar.—Rev. H. C. Riley.—Conversion of Manuel Aguas.—His Death.—Rev. James Hickey—The Mission Work by the Baptist Church (South).—The Presbyterian Church.—The Presbyterian Church (South).—Friends.—Methodist Episcopal Church.—Methodist Episcopal Church (South).—The A. B. C. F. M—Martyrs.—Native Evangelists.—Devoted Service.—Glorious Outlook | 380 |
| APPENDIX. ||
| | 401 |
| INDEX. ||
| | 407 |
Illustrations
ILLUSTRATIONS.
page :
| Stucco-Relief, Palanques, Chiapas | Frontispiece |
| Popocatapel ("The Hill that Smokes") | 23 |
| Plantation of Maguey (Agave Americana) | 25 |
| Ancient Toltec Palace at Tula (or Tullan), Mexico | 33 |
| Ruins in Yucatan | 43 |
| A Pueblo (Communal Dwelling) in New Mexico | 45 |
| A Taos Pueblo | 47 |
| Mexican Indian Mat-Makers (Modern) | 59 |
| Mexican God of War, Huitizilapochtli, or Hummingbird | 73 |
| Temple of Tikal, a Suburb of Flores, Yucatan | 77 |
| Great Sacrificial Stone of the Aztecs, Mexico | 79 |
| Aztec Goddess of Death | 85 |
| Traders on the Canal (Modern) | 95 |
| The Splendid Trogon of Mexico | 97 |
| Indigenos of Northern Guatemala | 133 |
| Map of the Mainland of Yucatan, Mexico | 134 |
| Present Inhabitants of Mérida, Yucatan | 137 |
| Orizaba, as seen from the Mexico and Vera Cruz Railroad | 153 |
| Map of the March to Mexico | 154 |
| Transcontinental Profile of Mexico | 166 |
| Mexican Basket-Sellers | 168 |
| Pyramid of Cholula | 173 |
| Near View of Popocatapetl | 181 |
| Map of the Valley of Mexico | 186 |
| Map of Mexico and Tezcuco | 204 |
| Mexican Teocallis | 215 |
| Pueblo of Northern Mexico | 219 |
| The Valley of Tula, Mexico | 231 ​ |
| Food-Vender | 237 |
| The Great Cathedral of the City of Mexico | 241 |
| Church of Teotihuacan, Mexico | 249 |
| Refreshments for the Hungry (Mexico) | 257 |
| A Pueblo, as now Existing in New Mexico | 263 |
| Miguel Hidalgo | 271 |
| Barrack at Saltillo | 277 |
| High Bridge on the Mexico and Vera Cruz Railway | 281 |
| Benito Juarez | 287 |
| Church of San Domingo, City of Mexico | 298 |
| Mexican Officers | 301 |
| Street in Vera Cruz | 308 |
| Indian Hut in the Tierra Caliente | 311 |
| City of Mexico (Distant View) | 313 |
| The City of Mexico | 315 |
| Terminus of Lake Chalco Canal, Mexico City | 317 |
| Merchants' Bazaar, Mexico | 322 |
| Seller of Bird-Cages, Mexico | 323 |
| Mexican Market- Woman | 325 |
| A Mexican Senora | 326 |
| Chapultepec Castle | 329 |
| Summit of Iztaccihuatl, Mexico | 330 |
| On the Canal, near Mexico City | 337 |
| The Ox-Cart | 338 |
| Water-Peddler, Mexico | 340 |
| Gathering the Juice of the Maguey for Pulque | 341 |
| Shop for the Sale of Pulque | 343 |
| Native Indian Abode | 347 |
| Making Tortillas, Mexico | 348 |
| Mexican Water-Works | 349 |
| City of Monterey, Mexico | 353 |
| City of Queretaro | 357 |
| Washing at the Well | 360 |
| Monterey | 375 |
| Church of San Francisco, Monterey | 376 |