Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/291

Rh stones and pearls. Then there was a mass of fabrics, and robes, plumes, and feather-work, liquId amber, vanilla, balsam, flint implements, and mirrors, weapons, paintings, and curiosities of every description, notably strange plants and animals, tigers, parrots, quetzals,and the like. Also a variety of natives, albinos, dwarfs, and monstrosities, together with acrobats, such as pole-turners, foot-balance performers, equilibrists, and ballplayers. Of staple resources and provisions large quantities were contributed by the natives, sufficient to have supplied a fleet. Much came also from the estates of Cortés, the extent of which may be understood from their value of two hundred thousand pesos de oro, estimated at a time when the price of real estate was very low. The care of these possessions devolved during his absence on Licenciate Juan Altamirano, his relative, Diego de Ocampo, and Santa Cruz.

Large retinues were among the most marked attributes of greatness at this period, and eager to impress the haughty courtiers of Castile, Cortés offered, chiefly with this view, free passage and maintenance to whosoever chose to accompany him to Spain. Quite a number availed themselves of the liberal proposal, though a few, like Fray Loaisa accompanied