Richland beacon., 1878-02-16
THE POET.KING.
He Who Built . Magnificent
Tower for the Worship Of
the Unknown God.

CITY OF Mexico, Jan. al am going to
tell you of trip to the mountain Of Tezcos-
lingo, famous in Aztec days as being the
pleasure garden snd retreat Of the Indian
poe,.king. Nezahuacoyolt. from Texcoco
the trip is wildly pc,eresqu and grandly
beautiful. The curiously constructed bath Of
Nezahuscoyolt is cut from a solid rock of
granite overhang,ne the brow Of the hill.
The rock has a smooth surface several yards
square, and dropping from its center is q cirA
cular basin some three or four feet deep and
dozen or more in circumference. Ou, o: one
side is cut seat for the accommodation Of
the barher, while rising from the surface
little back is another, having q perfect chair
form, with rest On one side for the arm.
Protecting the outer side Of this is wall
q part OF the same rock-intO which seats
have been cut, and various little inches in the
form Of miniature steps, which might have
been used by the oil Indian monarch as re-.
ccpiacles for his toilet parahernalis.
Following along the still well.preserved
path, we came 10 a chamber cut into the side
Of the hill, now unroofed and in ruins, the
floor being strewn with debris. Al the end
of this vaulted chamber was . raised plat
form foot 10 height and several feet square,
bewn from solid rock, and on either corner.
back Of this were inches chiselled out, with
fragments of cement still clinging to their
sides. We have .ince leraned tina, between
these, above the platform, there still remained
ut the beginning Of the present century a
large calendar stone, which was later de.
siroyed by the nei2hboring Indians in search
Of treasure. This curious work must have
cost i,s builders vast deal of labor.
Separating himself from the cares of his
Kingdom, Nezahuacoyolt came for rc,irenen,
tn this beautiful mountain, and here, four
times every day for forty days. On Bonded
knees. lie Offered prayer and incense TO "llie
all powerful God, hidden and unknown.
II is said that il answer to these earnes,
petitions . vision appeared TO one Of his ser.
wants in attendance, directing mir, to 70 al
once TO his master wi the comforting assnr
ance thst The unse~n God had been pleased
TO accept his prayers and offerings, and
would avenge him Ivy the hands Of his sou,
Axoqustzin, BOY Of only seventeen years
The king could not accept the supernatural
vision, which was, however. fulfilled.
NezstMscoyol,, upon hearing of the fulfill
ment Of what he had considered . false
prophecy. retired in humiliation to the garden
Of his psace. and, kne-lins on the ground
gave thanks 70 the unknown God for his sig
usl benefits. promising TO build temple Il
his house, 10 abstain from idostrous worship
and human sacrifices aud 10 alone ackoowl
edge the supremacy Of the unknown Col
In compliance with his vow, be built q towel
nine stories high, the interior Of which h
garnished with gold and precious stones, ant
the exterior he covered with black cement
embeilisbed With stars. The workmanship
WA Of the most expensive order. In thii
superb tower were stationed men, whos<
duty il was, 1t certain hours of the day, u
strike upon plates Of fine metal, =: The sound
o. which the monarch fell upou his knees il
prayer.