attendance at the
palace, who either sat or walked about the halls and galleries, and
passed their time in conversation, but without entering the apartment
where his person was. The servants and attendants of these nobles
remained in the courtyards, of which there were two or three of great
extent, and in the adjoining street, which was also spacious. They all
remained in attendance from morning until night; and when his meals
were served, the nobles were likewise served with equal profusion, and
their {161} servants and secretaries also had their allowance. Daily
his larder and wine-cellar were open to all who wished to eat and
drink. The meals were served by three or four hundred youths, who
brought on an infinite variety of dishes; indeed, whenever he dined or
supped the table was loaded with every kind of flesh, fish, fruit, and
vegetables that the country provided. As the climate is cold, they put
a chafing-dish with live coals under every plate and dish to keep them
warm. The meals were served in a large hall where Muteczuma was
accustomed to eat, and the dishes quite filled the room, which was
covered with mats and kept very clean. He sat on small cushions
curiously wrought in leather. During the meals there were present, at
a little distance from him, five or six elderly caciques, to whom he
presented some of the food. And there was constantly in attendance one
of the servants, who arranged and handed the dishes, and who received
from others whatever was wanted for the supply of the table. Both at
the beginning and end of every meal, they furnished water for the
hands, and the napkins used on these occasions were never used a second
time; this was the case also with the plates and dishes, which were not
brought again, but new ones in place of them; it was also the same with
the chafing-dishes. He is also dressed every day in four different
suits, entirely new, which he never wears a second time. None of the
caciques ever enter his palace with their feet covered, and when those
for whom he sends enter his presence, they incline their heads and look
down, bending their bodies; and when they address him they do not look
in his face; this arises from excessive modesty and reverence.
Whenever Muteczuma appeared in public, which was seldom the case, all
those who {162} accompanied him or whom he accidentally met in the
streets, turned away without looking toward him, and others prostrated
themselves until