Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-08-31
AMONG THE AZTECS.


In the domestic life of the ancient Mexi
cans as well as in the government of State
were diseernible traits ofso high an ordel
as would appear incredible, were it not fol
the proofs which exist in their paintings al
well as the testimony of many authors who
were eye witnesses of facts related i'll theil
works. Those who believe they behold the
ancient race of Mexicans in their decend
ants, attribute as fables invented hy The
Spaniards all which has been related O
their civilization, advancement in the art.
and the rectitude of their laws. The edu
cation of its youth, which - the chief SUP
port ofa State, and which more prominent
ly displays the character of q nation, was
such as to confound the proud contemnt O.
those whose conviction as that to Eu
ropean regions alone was limited the en-,
pire of reason.
''Nothing," relates 2. Acosta, q writer O,
those times 'has filled me with such won.
der, and is SO worthy of commendation, az
the order which is observed in the educa.
ton of the Mexican youth" In fact, il
would be difficult to find nation SC dill
gent in branch SO important to the fell.
city and well being of a State.
It is not to be denied that theiI ins+,lc.
ion was corrupted by superas mes ba5 thu
ployed IN the training of the sons of an
cient Mexico might with reason confuse
and bring tho blush of shame to the faith.
ers OF many European families, while the
doctrlnrs lnculcated in their youth would
serve as profitable lessons to the children
of this era
All mothers among the Aztecs, INCLUDING
their queens, nourished their offspring al
their own breasts, and if prevented from sc
doing by sickness Or debility they did not
readily transfer this duty to anurse without
having previously taken information re-
garding the sanitary condition of the wo.
man selected for this purpose, and the
quality of her milk. They accustomed
their children from infancy 20 endure hum
ger, cold and heat. and when they arrived
at the age of five years, the sons were de-
hvered into the hands Of their prests TO be
educated in their seminaries, which was the
custom chiefly with the sons of kings and
mobiles. When educated in the homes OF
their fathers they were instructed in the
doctrines of their religion, the worship of
their idols, and were taken to the temples
frequently by their parents to accustom
them from their most tender years to be
devout in their religious exercises.
They were inspired with horror ofvices,
and modesty governed all their sctions,
they were taught to respect their elders
and love labor. They we're compelled to
sleep upon a mat, and did not receive more
food than was necessary to sustain life,
while their clothing was only sufficient to
keep them within the, bonds of decency.
When arrived at maturity the sons were
taught the use of arms, and when their
fathers belonged TO the military they &C.
companied them to battle, in order that
they might become familiar with the art of
war, regardless of danger and brave in the
strife.
The form of education observed in their
public schools was admirable. These in
stitutions wee situated near the temples,
and the youths Of all ranks in life were
placed there for at least three years to be
instructed in all that appertained to their
religion. The sons of kings and of the no
bility were placed in the seminaries adioin-
ing the temples, of which there were many
IN all the cities of the Mexican
empire, for the education of the youth of
both sexes
The young men were given entirely into
the charge of the priests, while the maid
ems were placed under the care of the mat
rOns respected for their age and standing
in life. No communication was allowed be-
tween the seminaries of the distinct sexes.
And negligencein this regard was most sev-
srely chastised. There were separate es-
for the nobility and plebeians
the sons Of the nobility being employed in
the inUetior service of the temples, such as
the principal porch of the temple
and replenishing the sacred fires, while the
plebeians brought the wood required for
this purpose, and also the stones and NOR
ter employed in repairing the sacred edi-
ices Both classes were under the care of
superiors, who instructed them III reli-
gion, history, painting, music, and all the
arts convenien to their class.
The Office of the maidens were to sweep
the outer porch of their temples and rise
three times during the night to offer gum
to the idols and brepair the viandg used in
the oblations. They were taught the art
of spinning and weaving, aud above all
cleanliness in their persons, being compel
led to the frequent use of the bath. They
were inspired with contempt for idleness,
and We're gradually accustomed to all do
nestie l1bor. They slept in large halls
under the vigilance of matrons. VINO were
rigorous in the requirement of
in the department of their pu-
pills.
When pupil OF either sex wished to
visit the parental rcof, which was but sell
dom permitted, they were always accom-
panied by superior or telloW-scholar.
Alter having listened in silence and hu-
milIty to the instruction and advice given
them by their fathers, they returned quick
ly to their seminary. They remained in
these institutions until they had arrived at
a marriageable age, which was from twen-
ty to twenty-five in the youth, and from
sixteen TO eighteen with the maidens.
When this time arrived, permission TO
contract this right was asked by the father
OF the child from the superior, at the same
time expressing his thanks for the instruc-
ton received.
The Buperiors granted licenses of mar
riage at their grand festival Of the idol,
Tegcd!lipocd, to the youths Of both sexes,
at the same time pronouncing a lengthy
discourse in which he exhorted them to
presevere in the path of virtue and be true
to the obligations of the coniugal tie
These maidens who had received their edu-
cation in these seminarles We're preferred
as wives as much on account of the mod
esty and propr!ety of their department as
for their skill in all the requirements ap-
pertaining to their sex.
Inc youth VINO atCalneQ majority with
out contracting marriage was dedicated to
the service of the gods, and if after conse.
Grafton he repented of celibracy and wished
to marry, he rendered himself despisable
forever thereby, and there could not be
found woman who would except him for
a husband. In some cities, the hair OF
those who did not marry upon arriving at
the proper age was cut short, and consid-
cred rs o dishonorabie mark among the
people.
The males generally applied themselves
to the vocation of the parents, thus peTpe,
tuating diverse arts in families which
was beneficial to the State. Those destin.
ed for the macistracy were taken by theil
fathers to the tribunals, where they learned
the laws of the State and formulas of jus
lice. In one Of the old paintings of Mexi
co are represented four magistrates exam
ining u cause, and behind them four young
men listening to their deliberations. The
sons Of kings or the nobility we're constant
ly accompanied by tutors who watched al
their actions, and long before they entered
into the possession of their Kingdoms they
we're entrusted with the care OF some city
in order thai they might thus practice th,