THE HALLS OF THE MoNTEZUMAs.
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THE HALLS OF THE MONTEZUMAS.


Montezuma II. ascended the Mexican
throne A. D. 1902, at the age Of twenty.
three, before Mexico had been discovered
by Europeans. He died 3Olh June, 1920,
in the AID year Of his age, Of wounds in
flicted by the Spanish discoverers whom he
had invited to his royal palace. Historians
agree in admiring his character.


On ascending the throne, not content
with the spacious residence Of his father, he
erected another, much more magnificent,
fronting on the plaza mayor of the present
city Of Mexico. So vast was this great
structure, that, as one of the historians in
forms us, the space covered by its terraced
roof might have afforded ample room for
thirty nights to run their course in regu-
lar tournay, His father's palace, although
not so high, was so extensive that the visi-
ters were too much fatigued with wander
ing through the apartments, ever to see the
whole it, The palaces were built of red
stone, ornamented with marble, the arms of
the Montezuma family Gan eagle bearing
tiger in his talons) being sculptured over
the main entrance. Crystal fountains, fed
by the great reservoirs on the neighboring
hills, played in the vast halls and gardens,
and supplied water to hundreds Of marble
baths in the interior Of the palaces. Crowds
of mobiles and tributary chieftians were con-
tinually sauntering through the halls, or
lettering away their hours in attendance on
the court Rich carvings in wood adorned
the ceiling, beautiful mats Of palm leaf CO.
vered the floors. The walls were hung with
cotton richly stained, the skins of wild ami
mails, or gorgeous draperies of feather work
wrought in imitation of birds, insects, and
flowers, in glowing radiance of colors.--
Clouds of incense from golden censors diff
fused intoxicating odors through splendid
apartments occupied by the nine hundred
and eiqhty wives and five thousand slaves
of Montezuma.


He encouraged science and learning, and
publc schools were established throughout
the greater part Of the empire The city
of Mexico in his day, numbered twice as


many inhabitants as at present, and one
thousand men were daily employed in wa
teripg and sweeping its streets, keeping them
so clean that man could traverse the
whole city with as little danger CT soiing
his feet as his hands. A careful police
guarded the city. Extensive alsenals, gra-
naries, warehouses, an aviary for the most
beautiful birds, menageries, house for rep


tiles and serpents, collection Of human
monsters, 6sh-ponds built Of marble, and
museums and public Libraries, all on the
most extensive scale, added their attractions
TO the great city Of the Aztecs. Gorgeous
temples--in which human victims were sa-
lcrifced, and their blood baked in bread, or