The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-05-13

"'u iAtSilElplS, ditnOugn Sne says that
from our lack of knowledge of early Mcxi-
can customs, it is still not entirely evil
dent just what the exact character of the
document is. 1t is much like the other
codices in general way and like them.
also, was probably taken to Europe 10y the
Spaniards at the time OF the conquest of
Mexico. Somewhere in the meantime.
while it was lost sight Of, an unknown
student made annotations on the text in
Spanish characters, but these were prob
ably only differences, and in the light OF
modern knowledge not very correct in
ferences either. There is belief among
archaeologists that the codices were not
complete records, but rather in the nature
of notes which were used TO preserve le-
gends and perhaps history for bards and
poets who recited their epcs or ballads in
impromptu song or verse as they travelled
about the country, much as Homer is
supposed to have first told his story of
Ulysses, The care with which the several
characters whose experiences are the
groundwork of the story OF the Codex
Nuttall are labelled with their names whcr-
ever they appear makes this theory more
plausible.
A striking feature of the codcx, and one
which suggests interesting lines of re-
search, Mrs. Nuttall says, is the prevalent
association OF individuals with symbols
OF the calendar Occasionally the figures
are also accompanied by some peculiar
sign which stands for a name or title but
it is noteworthy that in all ancient CO.
dccs painted before the Spanish conquest
many OF the characters have either date
symbol or both a date symbol and ind-
Ndual name but none is ever designated
by An individual name sign aone This
popularity, Mrs. Nuttall thinks. is cor
rv5oration of her previous view that the
Symbols of the calendar were used not
crely to express years and days but also
as the names of tribes or cities Of the old
/ Mexican commonwealth Archacologists
! have also brought forward evidence to
] prove that the date OF mans birth was
! made part OF his name, and there are
numerous instances of the designation Of
/ places by the picture-word that stards
! for some division of the calendar In
, this connection Mrs. Nuttal points ont
| another interesting probahility-that as
distinctive garments, insignia, and colors
/ were worn during each OF the twenty les
rivals OF the old Aztec year, the pictures
of the codex Immediately conveyed to the
ancient Mexican information of the per
iods OF time with which they we're to be
associated, 1t is certain at any rate
that the extreme care WIN Which me
artist did his work IS largely due TO inc
Importance OF both color ana personal
decoration as means OF conveying RANK
age, and tribe and OF expressing inc per
tormance OF some political act or religious
! rite
The application OF this theory appears
most interestingly IN Mrs. NuttaI CO.
deX. The story ineludes series Oh
events in the lives OF several personages,
who are displayed IN great variety OF
costume and insignia. he changes IN
dress and decorations often tell OF rise
in rank, as, for example when after a
career OF triumphant progress one OF inc
characters, who appears FIRST IN sacer-
dotal garb and then as warrior Is shoWr
undergoing the rite Of having bis nostr'i'
pierced by priest so that nc may reCeN'
the nose torquoise or haage OF chici
tancy-which he wears throughout Inc
rest of the story One OF the most enter
tanning pages in the codex represents 'hic'
ohiettains IN noats crossing "S ~
water, on the further side OF when riSc'
ms "iN'' 80,
alligator, a serpent hsh' ana SONG snei's
while on the further shore' pen'nu 'n'
mountain rises tan req ana o'ao'
column which looks as II 1t were sup
porting the starry heavens VIZ" a.
represented in the usual conVentiohaille'
manner, though without any OF me reeos
) nized symbols tor individual CONSCIENTIOUS
The leader OF the party mas Doa' y
himself and IS designated by tme IS a
sign above his hand as Nine wafer
character who has entered the story snoi'
, ly before. In this name water Is sup
! posed to stand tor one oil inc 'we"ty c'@ ~,
months, and nine Tor inc Gay % W. W.
: month" Ninth Day OF the Monlh % y, .
= ter therefore would ne tne cn'eIta'''
, name, in accordance win tne ouston' y
deriving personal names from l'e oa'e'',.a'
. Death, Serpent and Deer were .hs la, ',o
of other months Accordingly lhe ,a ~.
Of the persons occupying me ,.. SECOND 'u'
5 are "Elcven-Death and Nine-oe ..I,.I,.,
The former curously resembles Els"
Il Deer, the nero OF inc stoiy' ~ aPPe A.
NHNN