ngs of
the early historians. These can only be understood and explained by
supposing the same social organization existed among them as among the
Mexicans.

But this does not relegate these civilized nations to savagism. On the
other hand, it is exactly the form of government we would expect to
find among them. They were not further along than the Middle Status
of barbarism. They were slowly advancing on the road that leads to
civilization, and their form of government was one exactly suited to
their needs, and one in keeping with their state of architecture. When
we gaze at the ruins of their material structures, we must consider that
before us are not the only ruins wrought by the Spaniards; the native
institutions were doomed as well. Traces of this early state of society
are, however, still recoverable, and we must study them well to learn
their secret.

We have yet before us a large field to investigate; that is, the advance
made in the arts of living among these people. This is one of the
principal objects of our present research. We are here slightly
departing from the prehistoric field, and entering the domain of
history. But the departure is justifiable, as it serves to light up an
extensive field, that is, the manner of life among the civilized nations
just before the coming of the Spaniards. And first we will examine their
customs in regard to property. We have in a former chapter reverted to
the influence of commerce and trade in advancing culture. The desire for
wealth and property which is such a controlling power to-day was one
of the most efficient agents in advancing man from savagism to
civilization. The idea of property, which scarcely had an existence
during that period of savagism, had grown stronger with every advance in
culture. "Beginning in feebleness, it has ended in becoming the master
passion of the human mind."

The property of savages is limited to a few articles of personal
use; consequently, their ideas as to its value, and the principles of
inheritance, are feeble. They can scarcely be said to have any idea
as to property in lands, though the tribe may lay claim to certain
hunting-grounds as their own. As soon as the organization of gens arose,
we can see that it would affect their ideas of property. The gens, we
must remember, was the unit of their social organization.

They had common rights, duties, and privileges, as well as common
supplies; and hence the idea arose that the pro