The weekly Butte record., 1862-09-13
Life of Montezuma.

The following picture of the life and habits
of Montezuma-the last great ruler of the
Mexicans before the Spanish conquest-is ia
ken from Prescott's History. 1t shows in
what magnificent and princely manner that
monarch lived, and also the immense wealth
he must have had at his command to support
him and his establishment The sketch will
be found very interesting
"The domestic establishment Of Montezuma
was on the same scale Of barbaric splendor as
every thing about him. He could boast as
many wives as are found in the harem of an
Eastern Sultan. They were lodged in their
own apartments, and provided with every &C
commodation according to their ideas, for per-
sonal comfort and cleanliness. They conducted
themselves with strict decorum, under the su-
pervision of certain aged females who acted in
the respectable capacity of duennas.
The palace was supplied with numerous
baths, and Montezuma set the example in his
own person, of frequent ablutions. He bathed
at least once and changed his dress four times,
it is said, every day lie never put on the
same apparel a second time but gave it away
TO his attendants.
Besides his numerous female ret;nue, the
halls ard ante chambers were filed with no
served as body guard 1t has been usual
for pebeians of merit to FL certain offices in
the palace But the naughty Montezuma re-
fused to be waited upon by any but men of
noble birth. They were not unfrequently the
sons OF the great chiefs, and remained as hos
tages in the absence of their fathers thus
serving the double purpose of security and
State.
His meals the emperor took alone. The
well matted floor of large saloon was cover
ed with hundreds of dishes. The royal bill OF
fare comprehended, besides domestic animals
game from distant forests, and fish, which, the
day before, were swimming in the Gulf Of
Mexico,
The meats were served by the attendant no.
bles who then resigned the Office of waiting on
the moDarch to maidens selected for their per-
soual grace and beauty. \ screen of richly
gilt aud carved wood was drawn around him
so as TO conceal him from vulgar eyes during
/ the repast. He was seated on a cushion, and
4 the dinner was served on a low table covered
with delicate cotton cloth. The dishes were
/ OF the finest ware Of Choula. He had service
of gold which was reserved for religious cele.
bratious. Indeed it would scarcely have com
ported with even his princely revenues to have
used it on ordinary occasions when his tablt
equipage was not allowed to appear SECOND
time, but was given to his attendants. Tht
saloon was lighted by torches made of resnou:
wood which sent forth sweet odor, and pro
/ badly not little smoke, as they burned A
bis meal he was attended by FIVE or six OF hi
ancient counsellors, who stood at a respectable
distance, answering bis questions and occasion
ally rejoiced by some of the viands with which
he complimented them from his table.
This course of solid dishes was succeeded
by another of sweetmeats and pastry for which
the Aztec cooks, provided with the importan
requisites of maize, -four. eggs, and the rict
sugar Of the aloe, were famous. The emperor
took no other beverage than the choelata,
rotation of chocolate favored with vanilla
and other spices, and so prepared as 10 be re
duced to froth Of the consistency Of honey