New-York tribune., 1875-05-18

One portion OF this building consisted Of large open
court paved with of different coors and divided
beasts, birds of prey. and reptiles The larger animals
were confined in low wooden cages made OF massive
beams They fed upon the intcsiines or human
sacrifices and upon deer rabbits, and other animals The
birds Of prey distributed according TO their species
feet deep and upwards OF feet in length and
breadth Half OF each chamber was roofed with SLABS o
sone under which perchcs fixed In the WALL where
the birds ght sleep and be projected from the ram
the other half was covered only with wooden gra,ng
were daily killed for food for these birds Agaors were
kept ponds walled around TO prevent their escape anu
scrpcnts long cages vessels, large enough 10 allow
them about freely. These reptiles were also fed
on human blood and ntestines MI Prescott tes s ns
that the whole of this mcnasre "was placed under the
charge OF Keepers who acquainted themselves
with the habits OF their prisoners and provided ior 'nc
comfort and cleanliness"
The quaint and outspoken old English writer
Thomas Gage, in his work entitled "New Survey"
rs quoted by Mr.. Bancroft, gives slashing descrp
ton of the whole affair:
''But what was wonderful to behold horrld 70 see
hideous to hear in this house was a., oi9 Gor U With
blood like gelIy Sinking like slaughterhouse ana ihc
roaring of i6e Lions, the fearful Kissing OF the sakcs
and Addcrs the doleful bowling and barking Oh inc
Wolves the sorrowful yelling the Ownzes ana Tires
when they would meat And yet III this place whch
dwelling place for the Devil, could heather Prince pray
unto his Gods and Idos for near unto TINS aii @ WE
broad, where was n Chapel win Iop VI s,,,ua L.,
and gold in leaf wainscotted and decked with great store
Rliies and divers other sorts and this the Oraory
where Monezuma prayed in the night season. ana III lha
clappcl the De, il did appear unto him. and gave MN an
according TO bis IJ ers, wh as they were ntei,d
among many ugly and doioIincd beasts, anu WIN .le
noise OF them which presented Hell 1t sell, were htted
for a Devils answer"
In another part of the bulding an immense hall
served as an aviary in which were collected speci-
mems of all the birds in the empire, excepting those
Of prey. They were of infinite variety and splendid
plumage.
Marble galleries supported upon Jasper pillars ali OF
one piece surrounded ls building, ana looked oui upon
large garden. wherein groves OF rare trees ch2cc
for the of waterfowl Of which were filed with
OF tho birds thai frequcrcd them Each pond was sur,
rounded with tcsselated marble pavement ana Snaa'u
by clunps OF trees As often the water began 10 st
nate il was drained of and renewed. MOntczuma is said
10 have passed much of his time here alone with ms
tains and odor Of flowers Inusng upon affairs Of state or
dvcrtng lis mind from such cares by watching Tie no
tions of the strange birds upon the water ter oel in
NO less tnan rHIIe ,G tlPi and iIe birds in the
aviary feeding them and III the moultng season care
Iu5 f 1Se % ccl5rsfeI lfec f@3thrrwork The
habits Of the birds were closely studied and great
was taken that every species should he supplied Nth M
worms insects or seeds. The lsn with which the wafer
fowl supplied amounted ~ one hundicd ana hI'y
pounds daly.
a numerous retinue of attendants was attached to
the royal houses Every day. from sunrise till sun
set the ante-chambers Of Montezuma's palace were
occupied by six hundred noblolncn and gentlemen,
lounging about and discussing the gossip OF the day
in low tones it was contrary to etiquette to speak
loud or make any noise about tie palace. They
were provided with apartments and took their
meals from what remained of the royal table Their
retancrs, of whom each person Of quality was en-
titled to from one to thirty numbered two or three
thousand and filed several outer courts during the
day.
The king took his meals alone, in one OF the largest
halls OF the palace. u the weather was cold, me was
kinded with Kind OF charcoal made Of the bark OF trees,
which emitted no siokc bui threw out u delicious per
fume and that his majesty might suffer no Inconyen,
carved with figures Of The idols was paced betv cen hs
person and the fire: He Wa seated upon low leather
his table Of similar description. except that it was
larger and rather higher and was covered with white
of the finest ware of Chola and many o. ire COB
lets were OF gold and silver or fashioned OF beautiful
shells lie is said TO have possessed complete service
OF solid gold bat rs 1t was considered below Kings
dignity to use anything 1T table twice Monezna Wth
ncset in the temple The bill ~ fare comprised every
tang cdh!e Of fish, flesh and fowl that c9ud ne PRO
OF cOuriors were employed in bringing delcacias frn
fr sh fish brought without modern aids OF and
artight packing, IRON seacOast moro than hundred
mile distant bT road passing chiefly throuh Topi-
cal climate VIC can form some idea of the speed with
WhiCh these cOueTs Travelled. There cunning cooks
among the Aztecs ana at neso eAaydgaut meals there
was almost much variety Ia the cooking rs in t.o mat
ter cooked sahqQin gives a most fogiiidaal" list Of
roast stcwed. and boiled dishes OF meat fish, aHd q0u
nv sea soned with many kinds ~ herhs of ic how
ever. the most frequently men Toned Is te ic frhcr
describes many kinds 81 bread all bearing no OF ~,
close resemblance 10 the modern Mexican lOrtlila ana
alt most tremendously named; IMAGINE for instance,
wi en- enc wished ior piece ol bread having 10 AK oe
ncghbor be good enough % p3ss the tOtanqultaXca
then there were tlmacs OF an KINDS ana
many other curious resso*, such As iTOSSpaNb, and
than even such these, aud stanges Of a the strange
compounds tina. went TO make ~ the royal carte, vas
l.1t.H nj Il
70 "a Siriscd ~ t tot in dirnt was noiljng
placed undcrit Wlcrs do not agree n TO
the exact quantity Oi FOOD served up al clch h., pu'
dishes given is three hundred and the highest three
thousand They were brongit ino ,ne nan by four hI,
irt nm. sTch yiands s ho wished 70 parake Of or t
the selection his steward, who doubtless oo pains 10
study tie likes and dislikes OF the royal palate. This sew
od as fnconary of the ghc rank and iinpol ttnce
he alone priv to place the designated decacc5
before the kim upon the table he appears to have done
duty both as royal and cupbeaIer and according
TO Tordueniad. have done 1t bareOocd and on his
keees Everything being in readiness, number OF ihe
water in round ve'sols called xicales for tie king TO
wash his hands in. and towels that hc might dry hem
other vessels beng placed upon he ground 10 ca'c 'he
dripngs. Two other women at the same time brought
lin some small leave OF very Gencae knd OF biSad
made of the finest Hour, beaten up with eggs This
done wooden screen carved ana gilt was placed before
always present five six aged lords who stood the
loy2 chair baTCfOOcd, aud with bowed heads To these
a special marx Oh 1VOl, inc KIM occasionally sent
choice nOrscl from his plate During the meal the
monarch sometimes amused himself by watching the
performances Of his iugeers and tumblcrs, whose
vicious feats of strength and dcXterity shall describe in
another place at other times there was dancing ACCOM-
panied 6y singing and music there also Ir. sent
dwars and professional testers VINO were allowed to
speak, privilege denied all others under penalty OF
death and after the Oi their kind, TO tell sharp
truths the shape Of jests The more solid food was fol-
lowed by pastry, sweemeas, and amagnieent dessert
of fruit fhe only drank AT the meal was choco
late OF which about 1fty jars were provided Ii was
taken with spoon finely wrought of gold or shell from
a goblet OF the same material Having flushed his din
ner the king again washed his hands in water brought
to him as before, by the After tins, several
painted and GAIT pipes brought from which he in
hncd throueh his mouth suited him best the