The Slave Sculptor — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. They found the emperor seated in a spacious saloon, surrounded by a few of his favorite chiefs. He received the bearded strangers with the most marked respect. ‘ Cortez, without needless delay, and perhaps without much cere- mony, broached the subject nearest his heart. He was sensible of the vast advantage to be obtained, if the royal head could be con- verted to the Holy Catholic faith, thereby wielding a powerful influ- ence toward the ultimate conversion of the Indians, and the present subjugation of the empire. E Montezuma listened attentively, until Cortez had concluded, when lie replied, that he knew the Spaniard’s God was a good one; but his gods were good enough for him. What his visitor had said about the creation of the world, was what he had been taught to believe. It was not worth while to discourse further of the matter. The interview closed by the emperor distributing valuable presents among the Spaniards, who, notwithstanding their iron hearts as well as mail, were touched with the hospitality and kindness displayed by Montezuma. sal Thoughts of quite a different nature, filled the mind of Cortez, who saw around him, the evidences of civilization, and consequent power. In the general appearance of the capital, its elegant archi- tecture, its luxurious social accommodations, its activity in trade and mechanical skill, he beheld the enlarged resources of an old and op- ulent community, while, in the dense crowds that thronged the streets, were indications of an immense population, capable of vast revenues, if they could but be brought into subjection. He foresaw the im- portance of becoming perfectly acquainted with the capital, the char- acter of its population, with the nature and mete I a . ere he could determine upon any final course of action. With this view, he asked permission of Montezuma to visit the principal pub- lic buildings. The population of Tenochtitlan, or Mexico, was at that time esti- mated at three hundred thousand souls, though it was probably much larger. Cortez, having made himself familiar with the customs, habits, and forms of Montezuma’s court; the great extent of his possessions; the sumptuous manner of his living; the homage paid him by his subjects; the pomp and grandeur of his entertainments; his attention to one of the most remarkable features in this semi-civilized city —ine Tianquez, or great market. Here the Spaniards were astonishei at what they beheld. The crowd of people pressing eager- ly toward the market-square, was immense; and, on entering the grounds, Cortez and his followers’ surprise was merged into amaze- ment at the multitude assembled, the size uf the inclosure, with the products and articles offered for sale, Every thing was in the most systematic order throughout the entire square. Officers were in con- tinual attendance, whose business consisted in collecting the duties imposed on each huckster, regulating the measures, and bringing conmiclooks.com