The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-03-04
Teucuco-An Ancient Mexican CITY.

The following interesting extract is from
the forthcoming Volume III. of Herbert
Bancroft's Native Races of the Pacific
States ~:
The city next In fame and rank to Mex
leo Tenochtitlan was Tezcuco, which Tor
quemada affirms contained 10000 houses
within a circumference of from 8 to 4
leagues. 1t was divided into six divisions,
and crossed by series of fine straight
streets lined with elegant buildings. The
old palace stood on the border of the lake
upon triple terrace, guarding the town,
as it were /; the newer structure, in the
construction of which 100000 men had
been employed, stood at the northern end
it was magnificent building, and con-
tanned 300 rooms. The city was the seat
of refinement and elegance, end occupied
relatively the same position in Mexico as
Paris does In Europe.
The style of architecture for houses did
not exhibit much yariety-the difference
between enc house and another being
chiefly in extent and material. The dwell
ings of the mobiles were situated upon ter
races of various heights, which, in swampy
places like Mexico, rested upon tiers of
heavy piles. They were usually group
of buildings in the form of parallelo-
gram, built of stone, or in Mexico of tet-
Zontli, Joined with fine cement, and finely
polished and white-washed. Every house
stood by itself, separated from its neighbOr
by narrow lanes, and inclosed one or more
courts which extended over large space
of ground One story was the most COM
mon form, and there are no accounts of
any palaces or private houses exceeding
| two stories. Broad steps led up the ter
race to two gates which gave entrance
to the courts--one opening upon the
main street, the other upon the back
lane, or canal, that often lay beneath
it. The terrace platform of the houses
of chiefs often had a wide walk around it,
and was especially spacious in front, where
there was occasionally d small oratorlo
facing the entrance. This style was par
ticularly noticed on the east coast. Inc
court was surrounded by numerous porti-
cos, decorated with porphyry, jasper, and
alabaster ornaments, which, again, led to
various chambers and halls, lighted by
large windows. Two great halls and sew
eral reception-rooms were situated in front;
the sleeping-chambers, kitchen, baths, and
store rooms were in the rear, forming at
times quite labyrinth. The court was
paved with flags of stone, tesselated mar
Bile, or hard cement, polished with ochre or
gypsum, and usually contained spark.
ling fountain; occasionally there was a
fower-garden, in which pyramidal altar
gave an air of sanctity to the place. The
stairway which led to the second story or
to the roof was often on the outside OF the
house, and by its grand proportions and
graceful form contributed not a little to
the good appearance of the house. The
roof was flat terrace of beams, with g
slight slope towards the back, covered
with a coat of cement or clay. and sur
rounded by battlemented parapet, sur
mounted at times by small turrets. There
were generally flowers in pots upon the
roofs, or even a small garden and here
the members of the household assembled
in the cool of the evening to enjoy the
fresh air and charming prospect. Some
, houses had galleries, which, ike mos
J work added TO the main structure, were OF
} wood, though supported upon columns Of
marble, p0rphyfy; or alabaster. These
pillars were either round or SQUARE, anC
were generally monoliths; they were with
, out base or capital, though ornamenteo
with figures cut in low relief. Buildings
were further adorned with elegant cornice'
and stucco designs of flowers and animals
which were often painted with brilliant
colors. Prominent among these figures
, was the coiling serpent before mentioned
: Llntels and poor-posts were also elaborate
ly carved.
The interior displayed the same rude
} magnificence. The floors were covered
with hard, smooth cement like the court
, ward and streets, rubbed with ochre o.
gympsum, and polished. The GLOSSY
: walls were painted and hung with cotton
or feather tapestry, to which Las Casa
adds silver plating and jewels. The fur
niture was scanty. 1t consisted chiefly o
: soft mats and cushions of palm-leaves o.
) fur, low tables, and small stools will
: palm-leaf backs. The beds were mat
; piled one upon another. with block or
, palnl-leaf or cotton cushion for pillow
occasionally they were furnished with Gov
: erlets and canopies of cotton or feather
! work. Vases filled with smOldering in
! cense diffused their perfume through tn
f chambers. The rooms which were use'
7 in winter were provided with hearths ant
| fire-screens, and lighted by torches
l There were no doors, properly calle'
= such, to the houses; but, where privac,
$ was required, bamboo or wicker-worl
, screen was suspended across the entrance
I and secured at night with bar. To thi
Z was attached a string of shells, which tn
r visitor ratified to call the host or his al
e tendants to the entrance. The interio
! rooms were separated by hangings, whic
r probably also served to cover the win
e dows of ordinary dwellings, although tn
] transparent tacoli stone. as before stated
t answered the purpose of windOw-glass i
, certain parts of some of the temples.