Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-07-23
An Indian POet.King.

A MAGNIFICENT TOWER FOR THE WOR.
SHIP OF THE UNKNOWN GOD.
City of Mexico Letter to the San Francisco
Bulletin.l
I am going to tell you of trip to the
mountain of Tezcosingo, famous in Az
tee days as being the pleasure-garden
and retreat of the Indian Poet-King,
Nezahuaceyolt. From Texcoco the trip
Is wildly picturesque and grandly beau
tiful. The curiously constructed bath of
Nezahuacoyolt is cut from solid block
of granite overhaning the brow of the
hill. The rock has smooth surface
several yards, and dropping from its
centre is a circular basin some three or
four feet deep and a dozen or more in
circumference. Out of one side is cut
seat for the accommodation of the bath
er, while rising from the surface little
back is another having perfect chair
form, with rest on one side of the arm.
Protecting the outer side of this is wall
"a 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 old
Indian monarch as receptacles for his
toilet paraphernalia.
Following along the still well-pre-
served path, we came to a chamber cut
into the side Of the hills, now unroofed
and in ruins, the floor being strewn
with debris. At the end of this vaulted
chamber was raised a platform foet in
height and several feet square, hewn
from solid rock, and on either corner,
back of this, were inches chiseled out,
with fragments of cement still clinging
to their sides. We have since learned
that between these, above the platform,
inn OF ft,Ah h1rr nj <~f
the present century large calendar
stone, which was later destroyed by the
neighboring Indians, in search of treas
ure. This curious work must have cost
its builders vast deal of labor.
Separating himself from the cares of
his kingdom, Nezahuacoyolt came for
retirement to this beautiful mountain,
and here, four times every day for forty
days, on bended knees, he offered PRAYER
and incense to "the all-powerful God,
hidden and unknown" 1t is said that
| in answer to these earnest petitions
vision appeared to one of his servants in
attendance, directing him to go at once
to his master with the comforting assu-
rance that the unseen God had been
pleased to accept his prayers and offer
ings, and would avenge him by the
hands of his son, Axoquatsin, boy of
only seventeen years. The King could
not accept the supernatural vision,
which was, however, fulfilled. Neza-
huacoyolt, upon hearing of the fulfill
ment of what he had considered false
prophecy, retired in humiliation to the
garden of his palace, and, kneeling on
the ground, gave thanks to the unknown
God for his signal benefits, promising to
build temple to his house, to abstain
from idolatrous worship and human sac
| rifices, and to alone acknowledge the
supremacy of the unknown God. In
compliance with his vow, he built
tower nine stories high, the interior Of
which he garnished with gold and pre-
cious stones, and the exterior he cover
ed with black cement, embellished with
stars. The workmanship was of the
most expensive order. In this superb
tower were stationed men, whose duty
| it was at certain hours of the day to
strike upon certain plates of fine metal,
at the sound of which the monarch fell
upon his knees in prayer.