Page:The Conquest of Mexico Volume 2.djvu/471

 Page 389 (6).—The parallel was so closely pressed by Torquemada, that he was compelled to suppress the chapter containing it, on the publication of his book.—See the Proemio to the edition of 1723, sec. 2.

Page 389 (7).—"The Devil," says Herrera, " chose to imitate, in everything, the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and their subsequent wanderings." (Hist. General, dec. 3, lib. 3, cap. 10.) But all that has been done by monkish annalist and missionary, to establish the parallel with the children of Israel, falls far short of Lord Kingsborough's learned labours, spread over nearly two hundred folio pages. (See Antiq. of Mexico, tom. vi. pp. 282-410.) Quantum inane!

Page 389 (8).—Interp. of Cod. Tel.-Rem., et Vat., Antiq., of Mexico, vol. vi.—Sahagun, Hist. de Nueva España, lib. 3, Suplem.—Veytia, Hist. Antig. lib. 1, cap. 16.

Page 389 (9).—This opinion finds favour with the best Spanish and Mexican writers, from the Conquest downwards. Soils sees nothing improbable in the fact "that the malignant influence, so frequently noticed in sacred history, should be found equally in profane."—Hist. de la Conquista, lib. 2, cap. 4.

Page 390 (1).—The bridal ceremony of the Hindoos, in particular, contains curious points of analogy with the Mexican. (See Asiatic Researches, vol. vii. mem. 9.) The institution of a numerous priesthood, with the practices of confession and penance, was familiar to the Tartar people. (Maundeville, Voiage, chap. 23.) And monastic establishments were found in Thibet and Japan, from the earliest ages.—Humboldt, Vues des Cordillères, p. 179.

Page 390 (2).—"Doubtless," says the ingenious Carli, "the fashion of burning the corpse, collecting the ashes in a vase, burying them under pyramidal mounds, with the immolation of wives and servants at the funeral, all remind one of the customs of Egypt and Hindostan."— Lettres Améric, tom. 2, let. 10.

Page 390 (3).—Marco Polo notices a civilised people in South-eastern China, and another in Japan, who drank the blood and ate the flesh of their captives; esteeming it the most savoury food in the world,—" la più saporita et migliore, che si possa truovar al mondo." (Viaggi, lib. 2, cap. 75; lib. 3, 13, 14.) The Mongols, according to Sir John Maundeville, regarded the ears "sowced in vynegre," as a particular dainty.—Voiage, chap. 23.

Page 390 (4).—Marco Polo, Viaggi, lib. 2, cap. 10.—Maundeville, Voiage, cap. 20, et alibi. See also a striking parallel between the Eastern Asiatics and Americans, in the Supplement to Ranking's "Historical Researches"; a work embodying many curious details of Oriental history and manners, in support of a whimsical theory.

Page 390 (5).—Morton, Crania Americana (Philadelphia, 1839), pp. 224-246. The industrious author establishes this singular fact, by examples drawn from a great number of nations in North and South America.

Page 390 (6).—Gomara, Crónica de la Nueva España, cap. 202, ap. Barcia, tom. ii.—Clavigero, Stor. del Messico, tom. i. pp. 94, 95.—M'Culloh (Researches, p. 198), who cites the Asiatic Researches. Dr. M'Culloh, in his single volume, has probably brought together a larger mass of materials for the illustration of the aboriginal history of the continent, than any other writer in the language. In the selection of his facts, he has shown much sagacity, as well as industry; and, if the formal and somewhat repulsive character of the style has been unfavourable to a popular interest, the work must always have an interest for those who are engaged in the study of Indian antiquities. His fanciful speculations on the subject of Mexican mythology may amuse those whom they fail to convince.

Page 391 (1).—Ante, vol. i. p. 64 et seq.