GENERAL CONTENTS

BOOK I
INTRODUCTION—VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION
BOOK II
DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
BOOK III
MARCH TO MEXICO
BOOK IV
RESIDENCE IN MEXICO
BOOK V
EXPULSION FROM MEXICO
BOOK VI
SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO
BOOK VII
CONCLUSION—SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTES
APPENDIX

CONTENTS OF VOL. I

[BOOK I]
INTRODUCTION—VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION
[CHAPTER I]
Ancient Mexico—Climate and Products—Primitive Races—Aztec Empire
PAGE
Extent of the Aztec Territory[4]
The Hot Region[5]
Volcanic Scenery[7]
Cordillera of the Andes[8]
Table-land in the Days of the Aztecs[9]
Valley of Mexico[10]
The Toltecs[12]
Their mysterious Disappearance[16]
Races from the Northwest[17]
Their Hostilities[19]
Foundation of Mexico[21]
Domestic Feuds[22]
League of the kindred Tribes[23]
Rapid Rise of Mexico[25]
Prosperity of the Empire[26]
Criticism on Veytia’s History[27]
[CHAPTER II]
Succession to the Crown—Aztec Nobility—Judicial System—Laws and Revenues—Military Institutions
Election of the Sovereign[34]
His Coronation[37]
Aztec Nobles[38]
Their barbaric Pomp[39]
Tenure of their Estates[40]
Legislative Power[41]
Judicial System[42]
Independent Judges[43]
Their Mode of Procedure[44]
Showy Tribunal[45]
Hieroglyphical Paintings[46]
Marriage Rites[49]
Slavery in Mexico[49]
Royal Revenues[51]
Burdensome Imposts[54]
Public Couriers[55]
Military Enthusiasm[56]
Aztec Ambassadors[57]
Orders of Knighthood[57]
Gorgeous Armor[58]
National Standard[59]
Military Code[60]
Hospitals for the Wounded[61]
Influence of Conquest on a Nation[63]
Criticism on Torquemada’s History[64]
Abbé Clavigero[65]
[CHAPTER III]
Mexican Mythology—The Sacerdotal Order—The Temples—Human Sacrifices
Systems of Mythology[67]
Mythology of the Aztecs[68]
Ideas of a God[69]
Sanguinary War-god[70]
God of the Air[71]
Mystic Legends[72]
Division of Time[75]
Future State[76]
Funeral Ceremonies[77]
Baptismal Rites[78]
Monastic Orders[80]
Feasts and Flagellation[82]
Aztec Confessional[82]
Education of the Youth[83]
Revenue of the Priests[85]
Mexican Temples[86]
Religious Festivals[88]
Human Sacrifices[89]
The Captive’s Doom[90]
Ceremonies of Sacrifice[91]
Torturing of the Victim[92]
Sacrifice of Infants[92]
Cannibal Banquets[93]
Number of Victims[94]
Houses of Skulls[95]
Cannibalism of the Aztecs[99]
Criticism on Sahagun’s History[101]
[CHAPTER IV]
Mexican Hieroglyphics—Manuscripts—Arithmetic—Chronology—Astronomy
Dawning of Science[105]
Picture-writing[106]
Aztec Hieroglyphics[108]
Manuscripts of the Mexicans[109]
Emblematic Symbols[110]
Phonetic Signs[111]
Materials of the Aztec Manuscripts[114]
Form of their Volumes[115]
Destruction of most of them[116]
Remaining Manuscripts[117]
Difficulty of deciphering them[120]
Minstrelsy of the Aztecs[123]
Theatrical Entertainments[124]
System of Notation[124]
Their Chronology[126]
The Aztec Era[129]
Calendar of the Priests[132]
Science of Astrology[135]
Astrology of the Aztecs[136]
Their Astronomy[137]
Wonderful Attainments in this Science[138]
Remarkable Festival[140]
Carnival of the Aztecs[142]
Lord Kingsborough’s Work[143]
Criticism on Gama[144]
[CHAPTER V]
Aztec Agriculture—Mechanical Arts—Merchants—Domestic Manners
Mechanical Genius[146]
Agriculture[147]
Mexican Husbandry[148]
Vegetable Products[150]
Mineral Treasures[153]
Skill of the Aztec Jewellers[155]
Sculpture[156]
Huge Calendar-stone[157]
Aztec Dyes[159]
Beautiful Feather-work[160]
Fairs of Mexico[161]
National Currency[161]
Trades[162]
Aztec Merchants[163]
Militant Traders[163]
Domestic Life[165]
Kindness to Children[166]
Polygamy[166]
Condition of the Sex[167]
Social Entertainments[167]
Use of Tobacco[168]
Culinary Art[169]
Agreeable Drinks[170]
Dancing[171]
Intoxication[172]
Criticism on Boturini’s Work[173]
[CHAPTER VI]
Tezcucans—Their Golden Age—Accomplished Princes—Decline of their Monarchy
The Alcolhuans or Tezcucans[176]
Prince Nezahualcoyotl[177]
His Persecution[178]
His Hair-breadth Escapes[179]
His wandering Life[180]
Fidelity of his Subjects[181]
Triumphs over his Enemies[182]
Remarkable League[183]
General Amnesty[183]
The Tezcucan Code[184]
Departments of Government[184]
Council of Music[185]
Its Censorial Office[185]
Literary Taste[186]
Tezcucan Bards[188]
Royal Ode[188]
Resources of Nezahualcoyotl[191]
His magnificent Palace[192]
His Gardens and Villas[193]
Address of the Priest[195]
His Baths[197]
Luxurious Residence[198]
Existing Remains of it[199]
Royal Amours[200]
Marriage of the King[202]
Forest Laws[203]
Strolling Adventures[204]
Munificence of the Monarch[205]
His Religion[206]
Temple to the Unknown God[208]
Philosophic Retirement[209]
His plaintive Verses[209]
Last Hours of Nezahualcoyotl[211]
His Character[213]
Succeeded by Nezahualpilli[214]
The Lady of Tula[215]
Executes his Son[216]
Effeminacy of the King[217]
His consequent Misfortunes[217]
Death of Nezahualpilli[218]
Tezcucan Civilization[219]
Criticism on Ixtlilxochitl’s Writings[220]
———
ORIGIN OF THE MEXICAN CIVILIZATION—ANALOGIES WITH THE OLD WORLD
Preliminary Notice
Speculations on the New World[225]
Manner of its Population[225]
Plato’s Atlantis[226]
Modern Theory[227]
Communication with the Old World[228]
Origin of American Civilization[230]
Plan of the Essay[231]
Analogies suggested by the Mexicans to the Old World[232]
Their Traditions of the Deluge[233]
Resemble the Hebrew Accounts[234]
Temple of Cholula[234]
Analogy to the Tower of Babel[235]
The Mexican Eve[236]
The God Quetzalcoatl[236]
Natural Errors of the Missionaries[237]
The Cross in Anahuac[238]
Eucharist and Baptism[239]
Chroniclers strive for Coincidences[241]
Argument drawn from these[242]
Resemblance of social Usages[245]
Analogies from Science[246]
Chronological System[247]
Hieroglyphics and Symbols[247]
Adjustment of Time[248]
Affinities of Language[248]
Difficulties of Comparison[251]
Traditions of Migration[252]
Tests of their Truth[253]
Physical Analogies[254]
Architectural Remains[256]
Destructive Spirit of the Spaniards[257]
Ruins in Chiapa and Yucatan[258]
Works of Art[259]
Tools for Building[260]
Little Resemblance to Egyptian Art[261]
Sculpture[262]
Hieroglyphics[263]
Probable Age of these Monuments[265]
Their probable Architects[267]
Difficulties in forming a Conclusion[269]
Ignorance of Iron and of Milk[270]
Unsatisfactory Explanations[271]
General Conclusions[272]
———
[BOOK II]
DISCOVERY OF MEXICO
[CHAPTER I]
Spain under Charles V.—Progress of Discovery—Colonial Policy—Conquest of Cuba—Expeditions to Yucatan
Condition of Spain[277]
Increase of Empire[278]
Cardinal Ximénes[279]
Arrival of Charles the Fifth[279]
Swarm of Flemings[280]
Opposition of the Cortes[281]
Colonial Administration[282]
Spirit of Chivalry[283]
Progress of Discovery[284]
Advancement of Colonization[285]
System of Repartimientos[285]
Colonial Policy[286]
Discovery of Cuba[287]
Its Conquest by Velasquez[288]
Cordova’s Expedition to Yucatan[289]
His Reception by the Natives[291]
Grijalva’s Expedition[292]
Civilization in Yucatan[292]
Traffic with the Indians[293]
His Return to Cuba[294]
His cool Reception[294]
Ambitious Schemes of the Governor[295]
Preparations for an Expedition[296]
[CHAPTER II]
Hernando Cortés—His Early Life—Visits the New World—His Residence in Cuba—Difficulties with Velasquez—Armada intrusted to Cortés
Hernando Cortés[297]
His Education[298]
Choice of a Profession[299]
Departure for America[300]
Arrival at Hispaniola[301]
His Mode of Life[302]
Enlists under Velasquez[303]
Habits of Gallantry[304]
Disaffected towards Velasquez[304]
Cortés in Confinement[305]
Flies into a Sanctuary[306]
Again put in Irons[307]
His perilous Escape[307]
His Marriage[308]
Reconciled with the Governor[308]
Retires to his Plantation[309]
Armada intrusted to Cortés[311]
Preparations for the Voyage[313]
Instructions to Cortés[314]
[CHAPTER III]
Jealousy of Velasquez—Cortés Embarks—Equipment of his Fleet—His Person and Character—Rendezvous at Havana—Strength of his Armament
Jealousy of Velasquez[317]
Intrigues against Cortés[318]
His clandestine Embarkation[319]
Arrives at Macaca[320]
Accession of Volunteers[321]
Stores and Ammunition[322]
Orders from Velasquez to arrest Cortés[323]
He raises the Standard at Havana[324]
Person of Cortés[325]
His Character[326]
Strength of Armament[327]
Stirring Address to his Troops[329]
Fleet weighs Anchor[330]
Remarks on Estrella’s Manuscript[331]
[CHAPTER IV]
Voyage to Cozumel—Conversion of the Natives—Jeronimo de Aguilar—Army arrives at Tabasco—Great Battle with the Indians—Christianity introduced
Disastrous Voyage to Cozumel[332]
Humane Policy of Cortés[333]
Cross found in the Island[334]
Religious Zeal of the Spaniards[335]
Attempts at Conversion[336]
Overthrow of the Idols[338]
Jerónimo de Aguilar[339]
His Adventures[340]
Employed as an Interpreter[342]
Fleet arrives at Tabasco[342]
Hostile Reception[343]
Fierce Defiance of the Natives[344]
Desperate Conflict[345]
Effect of the Fire-arms[345]
Cortés takes Tabasco[346]
Ambush of the Indians[348]
The Country in Arms[348]
Preparations for Battle[349]
March on the Enemy[350]
Joins Battle with the Indians[351]
Doubtful Struggle[352]
Terror at the War-horse[352]
Victory of the Spaniards[354]
Number of Slain[355]
Treaty with the Natives[356]
Conversion of the Heathen[357]
Catholic Communion[357]
Spaniards embark for Mexico[358]
[CHAPTER V]
Voyage along the Coast—Doña Marina—Spaniards land in Mexico—Interview with the Aztecs
Voyage along the Coast[359]
Natives come on Board[360]
Doña Marina[361]
Her History[361]
Her Beauty and Character[362]
First Tidings of Montezuma[364]
Spaniards land in Mexico[365]
First Interview with the Aztecs[366]
Their magnificent Presents[368]
Cupidity of the Spaniards[369]
Cortés displays his Cavalry[370]
Aztec Paintings[370]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
[The Landing of Cortés at Vera Cruz][Frontispiece]
From a painting especially made for this edition by L. Kowalsky.
[Map of the Country traversed by the Spaniards on their March to Mexico][1]
[Fra Bartolomé de las Casas][94]
After an engraving in “Ritratos de los Espagnoles illustres, 1791.”
[Our Lady of Guadaloupe][172]
From a photograph by Waite, of Mexico.
[Portrait of Charles V.][276]
After the painting by Titian at Munich.
[Portrait of Hernando Cortés][296]
From an engraving by Masson, after the painting by Ant. Moro.