Page:Travels in Mexico and life among the Mexicans.djvu/329

 seen for quite three hundred years or more, it is presumed that the entire race is employed in this duty of guiding the spirits of departed Aztecs through the shades of purgatory.

Some visitors to Mexico have complained, through their writings, that there is little to be seen here or elsewhere of that work of the goldsmiths in which the Mexicans excelled. Where, says one, are the calendars of solid gold and silver, as big as great wheels, and covered with hieroglyphics? where the golden birds and beasts and fishes? They have all gone to the melting-pot centuries ago. This is indeed true, for the kings of Spain, though the conquistadores sent them many, many rare and curious works in silver, gold, and gems, were wofully lacking in the antiquarian spirit, and put these priceless treasures to ignoble uses. To-day the native Mexican excels in the production of filigree work in silver, but in little else.

The ancient Aztecs, at the time of their discovery by Europeans, in 1520, were acquainted with many arts that are lost at the present day. Their works in silver and gold were the admiration of all who beheld them; and when brought to the notice of the goldsmiths of Europe, they declared they could not equal them; they cut gems and wrought precious metals in the forms of fishes, birds, and beasts, imitating, in fact, nearly, every object in nature. Their numberless idols testify to their skill in carving stone, and their wonderful picture-writings remain to attest their fertile fancy in the invention of symbols for ideas. They possessed in a high degree the true artistic instinct, and nothing will so well confirm the truth of this statement as their remarkable feather pictures. When the Spanish conquerors invaded Mexico, they were struck with the exquisite beauty of the plumaje, or feather-work, of the Aztecs. Even the stout old soldiers, who fought through all the battles in which Cortes was engaged, make mention of it as among the beautiful objects that first greeted their eyes in the markets of Mexico.

Though the race that then occupied that country was nearly exterminated, and the skilful artists and artisans dispersed, this art survived even the persecutions of centuries, and is among the few relics preserved of Aztec refinement and civilization. It has