Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/165

Rh and prosperity. It was to this belief that Cortés owed many of his successes, and his lieutenant, Alvarado, received the epithet Tonatiuh, the sun, from his fair hue, while the conquerors, as a rule, were known as the children of the sun. Maximilian was a decided blonde, with a commanding stature, and the still lingering myth, applying strikingly both to his person and mission, found ready application. Nor did his gentle expression and suave condescension fail to impress favorably even those whose republican principles impelled them to discourtesy. It is related that Maximilian on entering Orizaba noticed four persons planting themselves conspicuously in front of the crowd, to display their opposition by remaining there fixed and solid. He saluted them pointedly, raising his hat, and with true Mexican politeness the four men acknowledged the compliment.

The reception at Puebla, entered on June 5th, was particularly brilliant, corresponding to the greater size and wealth of this city. The arches and decorations were finer, and the festivities more elaborate and gay. The emperor in this vicinity displayed his fine horsemanship in a manner that pleased a large class. All preceding demonstrations were eclipsed, however, by those at the capital. On approaching the town, centring round the shrine of Guadalupe they found an immense throng lining the road, along which came to meet them the leading people of the country, in carriages and on horseback, prominent being three hundred of the representative youth mounted in costly array on spirited chargers. At a signal, all