The herald., 1895-03-31

and when. the matter on which he came
was related he dispatched him with few
words, and the suitor then retired without
raising his eyes or turning his back until
he was outside the hall where Montezu-
ma was.
there were always placed over thirty differ
ent kinds of stews made after the Mexi-
can style the dishes were placed on
earthen braziers containing fire to keep
them warm.
OF the dishes which he was to eat 300
plates were always cooked and over 1000
for his guard.
Sometimes as a sort of pastime he would
go with his noble and select the kind of
dishes he wished cooked and of what kind
of birds or animals; and l have heard
that he liked stew made from the flesh
of little boys of tender age; but as the
stews were of such a variety we could not
tell if some of them were of human flesh
or not for every day they cooked chick
ems, pheasants, reed birds, partridges,
pigeons, quails, tame and wild ducks,
deer, wild hogs, hares and rabbits, and
many other birds and animals, which it
would take too long to name.
But what | do know is that from the
time Cortes admonished him against the
sacrifice and eating of human flesh he
ordered that that dish should be. served
up no more.
If the weather was cold, fire of hot
Goals made from the bark OF a certain
tree was brought in. Those Goals gave
out pleasant odor and no smoke and if
the fire gave out too much heat, screen
ornamented with figures OF idols in gold
and feather work was placed before
it, while he seated himself in
low, soft chair before small
table. like the chair, low and richly orna-
mented with gold. The table was covered
with white cloth, and on one side were
several napkins; and then four neat and
handsome young women presented him
with basin of water in which to wash
his hands, and others presented him with,
towels. Other women brought him bread
(tortillas)and when he commenced to eat
screen was placed in front OF the table
that no one might see him
When the table was laid the women
went away and four of his oldest and
most favored councillors came and stood
beside him, with whom he conversed on
affairs of state; and sometimes, as mark
of especial. favor he would present one
with one, of, the dishes Of food of which
he was eating. | was told that those old
men were near relatives of his, and when
ever he gave them food they ate it stand
ing. and with their eyes cast down.
His table was also served with all kinds
OF fruit that grew in his domnions and
during the meal he drank frequently CO.
Gao from a gold cup richly wrought. This
| heard he took as an aphrodisiac. This
did not see myself, but l have seen
them bring in over fifty jars of
good cocao with its foam, which was
served to him by his women with
great ceremony. Sometimes when he was
eating he was waited on by hunchbacks
who were sort of TESTERS and dancers,
and singers also, for he liked to be
amused ; and when any one OF the dancers
or testers pleased him he ordered that he
be given cocao and the remainder OF the
food as a sign OF favor.
When his meal was finished the women
carried away the dishes and again pre-
sented water for his hands, and then
Montezuma conversed for some time with
his councillors on whatever subject inter-
ested him, after which they ceremoni- |
ously took their leave
After he had eaten. his guard and |
mobiles and attendants in the palace took |
their meals, and it was costly thing to |
feed so many.
We were surprised at the admirable or /
der which was maintained in everything /
And another thing which | had forgotten