The Infidel; or, the Fall of Mexico. Vol. I.

END OF VOL. I

notes

1

These poems, we presume, were handed down orally. We know not how far the picture-writing of the Mexicans (the art of interpreting which appears to be now lost,) was capable of conveying any such thoughts as could not be represented by an absolute portrait. No system of writing that is not essentially phonetic or dialectical, (i. e. representative of sounds, or of language,) can be made to express abstract ideas, which may be defined to be such as admit of no ideographic or metaphoric representation. If they could, mankind might, at once, enjoy the benefits of the universal language, (or, to speak strictly, a substitute for it; for it would convey ideas not words,) which Leibnitz dreamed of, and Bishop Wilkins, and many others after him, so vainly attempted to construct.

When, therefore, we relate any very curious and marvellous matters, appertaining to Mexican literature, though we speak upon the authority of historians, we invite the reader to receive our accounts with some grains of allowance. With the exception of a few arbitrary symbols, expressive of numerals, and a few other objects of constant recurrence, the picture-writing of Mexico spoke in ideas, not words; and it may therefore be assumed, that it could express nothing that did not, or by a stretch of ingenuity, could not be made to, address and explain itself to the eye.

2

The Manga and Serape are Mexican cloaks worn scapulary-wise, the one of richly embroidered cloth, the other of blanket, or some such coarse material. The Anquera is a leather housing, embossed and gilt, with a jingling fringe of brass or silver ornaments.

3

Vasco Nuñez de Balboa.

4

The historical reader will find that the worthy Bernal has incorporated many of these judicious sentiments in the work he was then composing, and some almost word for word.

5

Fusta– a sort of galley, very small and open, with lateen sails.

6

Itzli, the obsidian or volcanic glass.

7

Windows of this rich material were discovered in a Roman villa at Pompeii. The effect of a lamp in an alabaster vase will be familiar to the reader.

8

Techichi– a native animal of the dog kind, which does not bark. It was domesticated.

9

Xiquipil– a military division of natives, consisting of eight thousand men.

10

Tzatzitepec, a mountain near Tula.

11

Catcitepetl, a volcano.

12

The name is corrupted, as are all those handed down by the early historians. The suffixes, pilli and teuctli, indicate the title, and are therefore not a part of the name. We translate both lord; though it would be more germain to the matter, however ludicrous it might seem, to say at once Duke Death and Earl Olin.

13

One of the titles of the Supreme God, (Teotl,) who was not worshipped directly, but through the medium of his agents, the inferior divinities.

14

Tlalpilli– the quarter-cycle, or epoch of 13 years.

15

Embracing a portion respectively of June and July, and devoted to austere and penitential preparation for a coming festival.