Page:The Native Races of the Pacific States, volume 2.djvu/9

 CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

SAVAGISM AND CIVILIZATION.

PAGE

Definition of the Terms — Force and Nature — The Universal Soul of Progress — Man the Instrument and not the Element of Progress — Origin of Progressional Phenomena — The Agency of Evil — Is Civilization Conducive to Happiness ? — Objective and Subjective Humanity — Conditions Essential to Progress — Continental Configurations — Food and Climate — Wealth and Leisure — Association — War, Slaver% Religion, and Government — Morality and Fashion — The Development of Progressional Law 1

CHAPTER II.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE CIVILIZED NATIONS.

The American Civilization of the Sixteenth Century — Its Disappearance — The Past, a New Element — Dividing Line betw^een Savage and Civilized Tribes — Bounds of American Civilization — Physical Features of the Country — Maya and Nahua Branches of Aborigi- nal Culture — The Nahua Civilization — The Aztecs its Representa- tives — Limits of the Aztec Elmpire — Ancient History of Andhuac in Outline— The Toltec Era— The Chichimec Era— The Aztec Era — Extent of the Aztec Language — Civilized Peoples outside of Anii- huac — ^Central American Nations — The Maya Culture^ — The Primi- tive Maya. Empire — Nahua Influence in the South — Yucatan and the Mayas — The Nations of Chiapas — The Quich^ Empire in Gua- temala — The Nahuas in Nicaragua and Salvador — Etymology of Names 81

CHAPTER III.

GOVERNMENT OF THE NAHUA NATIONS.

System of Government — The Aztec Confederacy — Order of Succession — Election of Kings among the Mexicans — Royal Prerogatives — Government and Laws of Succession among the Toltecs, and in Michoacan, Tlascala, Cholula, Huexotzinco, and Oajaca — Magnifi- cence of the Nahua Monarchs — Ceremony of Anointment — Ascent to the Temple — The Holy Unction — Address of the High -priest to