CONTENTS BOOK I. INTRODUCTION—VIEW OP TUB AZTEC CIVILISATION. CHAPTER I. ANCIENT MEXICO—CLIMATE AND PRODUCTS—PRIMITIVE RACES—AZTEC EMPIRE. Extent of the Aztec Territory—The Hot Region—Volcanic Scenery—Cordillera of the Andes—Table-land in the days of the Aztecs—Valley of Mexico—The Toltecs— Their mysterious Disappearance—Races from the North-west—Their Hostilities— Foundation of Mexico—Domestic Feuds—League of the kindred Tribes—Rapid Rise of Mexico—Prosperity of the Empire—Criticism on Veytia’s History CHAPTER IL SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN—AZTEC NOBILITY—JUDICIAL SYSTEM—LAWS AND REVENUES —MILITARY INSTITUTIONS. Election of the Sovereign—His Coronation—Aztec Nobles—Their barbaric Pomp- Tenure of their Estates—Legislative Power— Judicial System — Independent Judges—Their Moae of Procedure—Showy Tribunal—Hieroglyphics! Paintings— Marriage Rites—Slavery in Mexico—Royal Revenues—Burdensome Imposts— Public Couriers—Military Enthusiasm—Aztec Ambassadors—Orders of Knight hood—Gorgeous Armour—National Standards—Military Code—Hospitals for the Wounded—Influence of Conquest on a Nation—Criticism on Tor^uemada’s History —Abb€ Clavigero CHAPTER III. MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY—THE SACERDOTAL ORDER—THE TEMPLES—HUMAN SACRIFICES. Systems of Mythology—Mythology of the Aztecs—Ideas of a God—Sanguinary War- god—God of the Air—Mystic Legends—Division of Time—Future State—Funeral Ceremonies— Baptismal Rites—Monastic Orders—Fasts and Flagellation—Aztec Confessional—Education of the Youth—Revenue of the Priests—Mexican Temples —Religious Festivals—Human Sacrifices—The Captive’s Doom—Ceremonies of Sacrifice—Torturing of the Victim—Sacrifice of Infants—Cannibal Banquets— Number of Victims—Houses of Skulls—Cannibalism of the Aztecs—Criticism on Sahagun’s History CHAPTER IV. MEXICAN HIEROGLYPHICS—MANUSCRIPTS—ARITHMETIC—CHRONOLOGY—ASTRONOMY. Dawning of Science — Picture-writing — Aztec Hieroglyphics—Manuscripts of the Mexicans—Emblematic Symbols—Phonetic Signs—Materials of the Aztec Manu scripts—Form of their Volumes—Destruction of most of them—Remaining Manuscripts—Difficulty of deciphering them—Minstrelsy of the Aztecs—Theatrical Entertainments—System of Notation — Their Chronology—The Aztec Era— Calendar of the Priests—Science of Astrology—Astrology of tho Aztecs—Aztec Astronomy—Wonderful Attainments in this Science—Remarkable Festival- Carnival of tho Aztecs—Lord Kingsborougli’s Work—Criticism on Gama
