The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-03-18
Miscellaneous.
MONTEZUMA.

The following beautiful sketch of :he closing hours
ofhe unfortunate monarch, from Prescott istUry
of the Conquest of Mexico
"The Indian mon arch Ind rapidly declined since
he had received his injury sinking however, quite as
much under the anguish of wounded spirit as under
disease. He continued in the same moody state of
insensbity as that already described holding little
communication with those around him. dearto conso-
lation, obstinatey rejecting all medical remed es as
we'll as nourishment Perceiving his end approach
ing, some Of the cavaliers present in the fortress,
whom the kindnes of his manners had personally at,
tached to him. anxious to save the soul of the
dying prince from the sad doom OF those who perish in
the darkness of unbelier They accordingly waited
him, with father Olmcdo at their head, and in the
most earnest manner mplored him to open his eyes
the of his creed, and consent to be baptised
But Nloniezuma-- whatever may have been suggested
to the contray-seems 10 have laltered in his
hereditary faith, to have contemplated becoming an
aposiae; for surely he merits that nrme in its most
odious application, who, whether Christian or Pagan
renounces his religion without conviction OF its false
hood. Indeed it too implicit reliance on its ora
eles, which led him give such easy confidence 10 the
Spanards. His intercourse with them had doubtless,
not sharpened his desire embrace their communion;
and the calamies oil country he might consider
sent by his gods to punish him for his hospitality
TO those who had desecrated and destroyed their
shrines. rr.- r...... ..'. 81 90 ... ....
'When father Omedo therefore, kneeling at his
side, with the uPlfted crucx asciiona,ey besought
him to embrace the sign of mans redemption, he
coldy rePulsed the priest, excIuining, Il have but
few moments more to live; and will not, this hour
desert the faith of my fathers. One thing, however,
seemed 10
This the fate Of his children especially of three
daughters, whom he had by his two wives; for there
were certain rites of marriage, which distinguished
the lawful wife from the concubine. ling Coites
to his bedside, he earnestly commended these chill
dren to his care the most precious Jewels that he
could leave him. He besought the general to inter-
est his muster, the Emperor, in their behalf, and
that they should be left destitute, but be al
lowed some portion Of their rghtfuI inheritance
Your lord would do this, he concluded, IF i, were
only for the friendly Offices have rendered the Span
iards, and Tor the love have shown them Though
it has brought me to this condition But for this
bear them ill-will.' oh, according to Cortes
himself, were the words Of the dying monarch. Not
long AFTER on the Both of june 1920, he expired in
the arms Of some Of his mobiles, who still remained
faithful in their attendance his person. Thus
cxcaims native historian, of his enemies, Tas
cain, 'thus died the unfortunate Montezumn, who
had swayed the sceptre with such consumnlate ocy
and wisdom; who was held in greater reverence and
than any other prince OF his Iineage or any, in
deed. that ever sat throne in the Western World
With him may be said 10 have terminated the royal
line of the Aztecs, and the glory to have passed away
from the empire, which under him had reached the
zenith OF its prosperity. .r lr.-- -.
'When Montezuma assembled the throne, he was
scarcely twenty three years of age. Young and
ambitious Of ext ending his empire, he continually
engaged in war. and is said to have been present him
self in nine pitched battles. He greatly renown
ed for his maHial prowess, for be belonged 10 the
Quachctin, The highest military order Of his nation
and into which but few, even Of its sovereigns
had been admitted In later life, he preferred in
trigue to violence, his character
and priestly education. In this he great IAN
adept any prince Of his time, and by very
honorable TO himself, succeeded in flchng away
much OF the territory Of his royal knsnan Of Tezcuco
Severe in the administration of justice, he made i'm
portant reforms in the arrangement Of the tribunals
fIe introduced other innovations in the royal house
hold, creating offices. Introducing lnvish mag
nicence and forms Of courtly etiquette unknown to
his ruder predecessors II was, in Short most atten
tive to all that concerned the exterior and pomp of
royalty Stately and decorous, he careful Of his
own dignity, and might be said to be great 'ac-
tor Of majesty among the barbarian o,entates of the
New World, as Louis tho Fourteenth was among the
polished princes Of Europe l.4t-.,'.5
''fIe was deeply tnc,ured. moreover with that
spirit Of bisotry, which threw such shade over the
latter days Of the French monarch. fIe received tire
spanards as the being predicted by his orpcles- The
anxious dread with which he had evaded heir p offer
ed visits, which was founded on the feelings
which led him SO bndly to resign himself to them
on their approach. lie Felt himself rebuked by their
superior genius He at once conceded all that they
demanded, his treasure, his power his person
For their sake he forsook his woned occupations his
pleasures, his most familiar habits He might be |
said to forego his nauro and his objects asserted
to change MS sex and become a woman. If we can