made the history of South America more melancholy than that of any other section of the world: these striking features made Mr Prescott's second work even more successful than his first. It has been widely circulated in America and Great Britain; and, besides several reprints, translations have appeared in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, and Mexico. Though the author's share of profit has been by no means commensurate with the extensive sale of his works, it is pleasing to know that his success in his own country has added a considerable sum to his inherited property.

In the introduction to the History of the Conquest of Mexico, the historian gives the results of extensive researches in a general view of Aztec civilisation; and throughout the work he makes use of numerous materials unknown to the preceding writers on the same subject-Dr Robertson, and the Spaniard Antonio de Solis. The summary of Aztec culture is exceedingly interesting, and prepares the reader to study with sympathy the following narrative. We borrow from this summary a few of the more prominent facts.

In his physical structure, the Aztec was less robust than the European, and in some respects resembled the Hindoo. His hair was straight and black; the beard was usually plucked away or thinned; the complexion was a reddish brown or copper colour, the cheek-bones high, and the eyes obliquely set. The women were exempted from the hard bodily labour imposed upon them by savage tribes; and the wife was the companion, not the slave of her husband. This one trait proves that a considerable degree of civilisation had been attained. The agriculture of the Aztecs was skilful; and in other useful arts, great progress had been made. Vessels for domestic use were made of clay or lackered or painted wood; and articles of luxury included gold and silver ornaments, jewellery, and especially splendid dresses and tapestry, made of the plumage of tropical birds.

The tables of the wealthy were supplied with such delicacies as sauces, confectionary, chocolate flavoured with vanilla, and fish brought from a sea-shore 200 miles distant. The dark fact that cannibalism formed a part of their luxurious banquets, seems scarcely conceivable among a people otherwise refined and gentle in their manners.

As a specimen of Aztec literature, Mr Prescott notices the poems ascribed to one of the kings of the Tezcucans-the most civilised of all the tribes who inhabited the valley of Mexico. The strains of this royal poet have a melancholy tone, reminding the reader of a troubled life, not without crime, of remorse and forebodings mixed with the pleasures of a palace. A system of picture-writing served for the publication of laws and the

record of memorable events. Time was accurately measured; and the advanced state of the Aztec astronomy is perhaps the most remarkable fact brought to light by recent researches.

The religion and the political system of the Aztecs were very closely connected. The education of the people was one of the duties of the priesthood, which was not bound by vows of celibacy. Temples were richly endowed, and the priests received first-fruits and many voluntary offerings. The surplus of the church-revenues was distributed in alms. One supreme Creator and Lord of the universe was the central object of worship; but homage was also paid, as by the Hindoos, to a multitude of subordinate deities. A ceremony, having some likeness to baptism, was used in naming children, and a cleansing power, in a moral sense, was ascribed to the water. Roman Catholic missionaries have recognised in the monuments of the Aztecs the rites of confession and absolution. The cross seems to have been an object of adoration. These and other coincidences have suggested the theory of connecting Aztec religion and civilisation with Jewish traditions; but, on the other side, the Aztec worship was as degraded and cruel as that of the lowest savages. Human sacrifices were commonly offered on the altars of the gods, and the flesh of enemies seized in battle was served up at luxurious banquets.

The Aztec government was an elective monarchy. A numerous aristocracy depended on the throne. Judges in the superior courts were appointed by the crown; while, in the lower, they were chosen by the people. For numerous details of a people whose civilisation, so far as researches have hitherto extended, seems an isolated fact in the world's history, connecting itself with nothing before or after it, we have to thank Mr Prescott; but he has wisely abstained from theorising on the origin of Mexican culture. He has left it as he found it—a problem presenting the greatest difficulties to students who hold the traditional theory of civilisation. The end of this Mexican system seems as mysterious as the beginning. Other nations have perished, but not without leaving some heritage to their successors. Where are the inheritors of Aztec culture? For what great purpose connected with the world's general history did it exist? These are questions to which human reason can find no reply. The melancholy fate of the Aztecs has no parallel in all history. Other nations have passed away, but not without having fulfilled a destiny more or less important as a part of the whole life of mankind. So natural is the belief that all culture must, in some form or other, perpetuate itself, that we cannot, without some feeling of scepticism, read

Mr Prescott's able and interesting summary of Aztec civilisation, especially his account of the character and poetical writings of the king of Tezcuco, who might be styled the Aztec Solomon. We read that the latter part of his life' was devoted to astronomical, and, probably, astrological studies; to meditation on his immortal destiny; and to giving utterance to his feelings in songs, or rather hymns, of much solemnity and pathos.' An extract from one of these will convey some idea of his religious speculations.

'All things on earth have their term, and, in the most joyous career of their vanity and splendour, their strength fails, and they sink into the dust. All the round world is but a sepulchre; and there is nothing which lives on its surface, that shall not be hidden and entombed beneath it. Rivers, torrents, and streams move onward to their destination. Not one flows back to its pleasant source. They rush onward, hastening to bury themselves in the deep bosom of the ocean. The things of yesterday are no more to-day; and the things of to-day shall cease, perhaps, on the morrow. The cemetery is full of the loathsome dust of bodies once quickened by living souls, who occupied thrones, presided over assemblies, marshalled armies, subdued provinces, arrogated to themselves worship, were puffed up with vainglorious pomp, and power, and empire.

But these glories have all passed away, like the fearful smoke that issues from the throat of Popocatepetl,1 with no other memorial of their existence than the record on the page of the chronicler.

The great, the wise, the valiant, the beautiful-alas! where are they now? They are all mingled with the clod; and that which has befallen them shall happen to us, and to those that come after us. Yet, let us take courage, illustrious nobles and chieftains, true friends and loyal subjects-let us aspire to that heaven, where all is eternal, and corruption cannot come. The horrors of the tomb are but the cradle of the Sun, and the dark shadows of death are brilliant lights for the stars.'

The writer of this hymn died about the year 1470, or half a century before the desolation commonly called the Conquest of Mexico.

After a clear and comprehensive introduction, giving an account of the Aztec civilisation, Mr Prescott proceeds to give the narrative of the rapid conquest of Mexico; and in doing this, he supplies many details which reduce the vague, marvellous, and

1 A volcano.

seemingly fabulous account, rendered by the preceding historian, Robertson, to a statement that may be readily understood and credited. At first sight, it seems a mere story of romance that a handful of adventurers, landing in Mexico, scantily furnished with the means of warfare, and fighting at their own cost, could, in the space of two years, overthrow an empire and destroy an ancient civilisation. Besides the facts, that these adventurers were excited by a thirst for gold to the highest degree of valour; that they were led on by a bold, enthusiastic, and yet cunning commander; and that their victims were a singularly unwarlike people, dismayed even by the sound of firearms; we require other circumstances to explain how one Spaniard literally put to flight a thousand Mexicans.

In the first place, we learn that the empire of the Aztecs was a mere aggregate of several distinct communities, without the centralisation required for a common defence. Cortés conquered one tribe after another, and made the vanquished his allies. In doing this, he was greatly assisted by the jealousies excited against the Indian monarch, Montezuma. Though his military prowess was celebrated in Mexico, it was little better than the courage of a mere child when opposed to the discipline of the invaders; for of the art of war, the irresolute and bewildered king knew nothing.

The prediction current in Mexico, that the empire must fall into the hands of invaders coming from the east, was no slight aid to the adventurers; but their greatest auxiliaries were found in the divisions of the Indian tribes and the vacillation of the monarch. Montezuma acted as a fatalist who sees his destiny, and submits. When he heard of the strange men, if men they could be called, who had landed on his coast, and, accompanied by unknown terrors of thunder and lightning, were marching on his capital, his superstitious mind remembered the prophecy of invasion from the east; and when he declined the proffered visit, it was not through indignation or simple fear, but with the deep melancholy of a man who has foreseen a gloomy fate, and knows that his hour is come.

When the invaders appeared before him, he at once resigned everything into their hands-as his subjects said, 'he became a woman.' As Mr Prescott states-Montezuma died 'quite as much under the anguish of a wounded spirit as under disease. . . . . Perceiving his end approach, some of the cavaliers present in the fortress, whom the kindness of his manners had personally attached to him, were anxious to save the soul of the dying prince from the sad doom of those who perish in the darkness of unbelief. They accordingly waited on him, with Father Olmedo at their head, and

in the most earnest manner implored him to open his eyes to the error of his creed, and consent to be baptised. But Montezuma, whatever may have been suggested to the contrary, seems never to have faltered in his hereditary faith, or to have contemplated becoming an apostate-for surely he merits that name, in its most odious application, who, whether Christian or Pagan, renounces his religion without conviction of its falsehood. Indeed, it was a too implicit reliance on its oracles which had led him to give such easy confidence to the Spaniards. His intercourse with them had doubtless not sharpened his desire to embrace their communion; and the calamities of his country he might consider as sent by his gods, to punish him for his hospitality to those who had desecrated and destroyed their shrines.

When Father Olmedo, therefore, kneeling at his side, with the uplifted crucifix, affectionately besought him to embrace the sign of man's redemption, he coldly repulsed the priest, exclaiming: "I have but a few moments to live, and will not at this hour desert the faith of my fathers." One thing, however, seemed to press heavily on Montezuma's mind-this was the fate of his children, especially of three daughters, whom he had by his two wives; for there were certain rites of marriage which distinguished the lawful wife from the concubine. Calling Cortés to his bedside, he earnestly commended these children to his care, "6 as the most precious jewels that he could leave him." He besought the general to interest his master, the emperor, in their behalf, and to see that they should not be left destitute, but be allowed some portion of their rightful inheritance. "Your lord will do this," he concluded, "if it were only for the friendly offices I have rendered the Spaniards, and for the love I have shewn them, though it has brought me to this condition. But for this I bear them no ill-will." Such, according to Cortés himself, were the words of the dying monarch. Not long after, on the 30th of June 1520, he expired in the arms of some of his own nobles, who still remained faithful in their attendance on his person.'

The preceding notices have shewn how clearly the historian explains the circumstances which make credible so romantic a story as the conquest of Mexico by Cortés and his followers. The march of the adventurers is described in a vivid style. Considering all the circumstances conspiring to aid their enterprise, we still must admire their courage, and might follow them with sympathy if some better motive than the thirst for gold had impelled them. When they marched boldly from the coast through the gorgeous low tropical district, discovering every day new wonders in the surrounding scenes, they knew little