plate of
some of his viands, which was considered a mark of great favour. These
grey-headed old men, who were so highly honoured, were, as we
subsequently learnt, his nearest relations, most trustworthy counsellors
and chief justices. Whenever he ordered any victuals to be presented
them, they ate it standing, in the deepest veneration, though without
daring to look at him full in the face. The dishes in which the dinner
was served up were of variegated and black porcelain, made at Cholulla.
While the monarch was at table, his courtiers, and those who were in
waiting in the halls adjoining, had to maintain strict silence.

After the hot dishes had been removed, every kind of fruit which the
country produced was set on the table; of which, however, Motecusuma ate
very little. Every now and then was handed to him a golden pitcher
filled with a kind of liquor made from the cacao, which is of a very
exciting nature.[52] Though we did not pay any particular attention to
the circumstance at the time, yet I saw about fifty large pitchers
filled with the same liquor brought in all frothy. This beverage was
also presented to the monarch by women, but all with the profoundest
veneration.

Sometimes during dinner time, he would have ugly Indian humpbacked
dwarfs, who acted as buffoons and performed antics for his amusement. At
another time he would have jesters to enliven him with their witticisms.
Others again danced and sung before him. Motecusuma took great delight
in these entertainments, and ordered the broken victuals and pitchers of
cacao liquor to be distributed among these performers. As soon as he had
finished his dinner the four women cleared the cloths and brought him
water to wash his hands. During this interval he discoursed a little
with the four old men, and then left table to enjoy his afternoon's nap.

After the monarch had dined, dinner was served up for the men on duty
and the other officers of his household, and I have often counted more
than 1000 dishes on the table, of the kinds above mentioned. These were
then followed, according to the Mexican custom, by the frothing jugs of
cacao liquor; certainly 2000 of them, after which came different kinds
of fruit in great abundance.

Next the women dined, who superintended the baking department; and those
who made the cacao liquor, with the young women who waited upon the
monarch. Indeed, the daily expense of these dinners alone must have been
very great!

Be