Page:The Native Races of the Pacific States, volume 2.djvu/198



obserued, it wil not be w&#333;dred at, that we made mention before concerning so many garments presented. For accounting the yeares, and the dayes of the yeares, especially, wherein Muteczuma hath inioyed peace &amp; howe often he changeth his garments euery daye, all admiration will cease. But the readers will demand, why he heapeth vp so great a pile of garments, &amp; that iustly. Let them knowe that Muteczuma vsed to giue a certeine portion of garments to his familiar friends, or well deseruing soldiers, in steed of a beneuolence, or stipend, when they go to the wars, or returne from ye victory, as Augustus Cæsar lord of the world, a mightier Prince than Muteczuma, comm&#257;ded only a poore reward of bread to be giuen ouer &amp; aboue to such as performed any notable exployt, while being by Maro admonished, that so smal a larges of bread was an argum&#275;t yt he was a bakers son: then although it be recorded in writ&#299;g that Cæsar liked ye mery c&#333;ceit, yet it is to be beleued yt he blushed at that diuinati&#333;, because he promised Virgil to alter his dispositi&#333; &amp; that hereafter he would bestow gifts worthy a great king, &amp; not a bakers son."[71]

THE KING OUT OF DOORS.

The kings did not often appear among their people,[72] though we are told that they would sometimes go forth in disguise to see that no part of the religious feasts and ceremonies was omitted, to make sure that the laws were observed, and probably, as is usual in such cases, to ascertain the true state of public opinion with regard to themselves.[73] Whenever they did appear abroad, however, it was with a parade that corresponded with their other observances. Upon these occasions the king was seated in a magnificent litter, overshadowed by a canopy of feather-work, the whole being adorned with gold and precious stones, and carried upon the shoulders of four noblemen. He was