The Slave Sculptor — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

62 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. could discover the great metropolis, at one sweeping glance, around which lay the clear waters of Tezcuco. The Spanish soldiers were filled with admiration, and spoke openly of the grandeur of the work. Far off, in an unbroken line, they could behold the base of that great range of mountains, surrounding the valley, and their icy sumunits glittered in the bright sunlight. Having indulged in the grand spectacle, until they were satisfied, Cortez asked permission to enter the temples and examine the shrines of their gods. To this, Montezuma, after a short consultation with the priests, consented; and, in person, he escorted the Spaniards into their sacred sanctuaries — there being two on the ? ‘The first entered, was a large, gilded apartment, and before the altar stood the statue of Huitzitopotchli—the war-god of the Aztecs, His countenance was distorted, hideous, and emblematic of fierce passion. His right hand wielded a huge bow, and his left held a golden arrow, while his trappings were those supposed by the sup- erstitious people to belong to the deity; yet, the most prominent or- nament was a chain of solid gold and silver hearts, strung alternate, and suspended around his neck, indicating the sacrifice in which he took the most delight. . There was, however, a more evident token of his character in the Ee ae hearts, then smoking and quivering on a golden platter re the huge image. The sight caus- ed a cold detinainn = over the Spaniards, for alas! gt not but a similar fate was in reserve for them! The other temple was devoted to a milder god. It was called Tezcatlipoca, the one who created the world and watched over it. This image was represented as a young man, and was hewn from black stone, highly polished. This god was decorated, and armed as a warrior. His armor and weapons were all garnished with gold and jewels; yet he — like his neighbor — had a peculiar relish for dainty diet, as the Spaniards discovered before him five bleeding hearts, just torn frem the reeking breasts of the sacrificed victims. The walls and floor of these teniples, were besmeared with human blood, and the stench was most offensive; while the priests, with gar- ments stiff with the dried blood, and their faces painted with coarse characters of mystic import, moved hurriedly to and fro, among the Spaniards, From these foul abodes, Cortez gladly retreated, and descended to the hard paved court below, where he made a careful survey of the buildings ia the inclosure. The principal attraction in this quarter, was the schools for the instruction of youth of both sexes, drawn chiefly from the high and wealthy classes. The girls were taught by priestesses, and the boys by male instructors, while the most blameless deportment was rigid- ly enforced throughout every department of the institution. During these wanderings, trhich were extended through every part of the eapital, Cortez was always under the immediate eye of Monte- zuma, to whom he looked for protection, and, but for whose presence, conmcbooks.com