LITERARY REGISTER. work, we select, in the first place, his account of Sinca- hottest day, are not without a delicious breeze, given by pore: At last, on the 12th of May, we arrived in Sincapore Roads; thus completing our visit to all four quarters of the globe, within five months. Our anchor had scarce touched bottom, ere we received a pressing invitation from his excellency the governor, to make his house our home during the time we should remain in that presidency. It is superfluous to say his kindness was readily accepted, and we determined to avail ourselves of it on the following morning. Boats containing every species of tropical fruit, and various Asiatic luxuries, now crowded around the ship; these were to be purchased at ridiculously small prices-three, sometimes four magnificent pines being offered for one penny. Indeed, so cheap are they, that the captains of smart men of war constantly use them for bringing their decks to a fine whiteness. The Mangustein and Durian fruits, which rival in celebrity the fresh dates of Africa, were unfortunately not then in season. They are only to be procured, in any thing like perfection, in the Malacca Straits; and from their rarity, and the utter impossibility of transporting them to any distance, they are doubly prized. The roadstead was studded with shipping. Two or three men of war, and half a dozen transports, were completing their stores and water, under orders, equally with ourselves, to proceed to Hong-Kong. Besides these, and a vast number of European merchantmen and a few opium clippers, there were a prodigious number of junks from Cochin-China and Siam, awaiting the southerly monsoon, which wind was expected daily to set in, in order to return to their native ports. On the bows of each of these were painted a peculiar pair of goggle eyes; for as the Chinamen aptly observe-"Suppose no hab eye, massa, how can see?" As night came on, the town assumed a very gay aspect; that part which I subsequently ascertained was inhabited by the Chinese, appeared one blaze of light; their joss-house, splendidly illuminated, being the most conspicuous object. On the following day, we landed under a salute of eleven guns from the Belle Isle, and were received on shore with the same honours, palanquins having been provided to take us to the Government House. These are little, low, four-wheeled carriages (ris-a-vis) drawn by one horse, and fitted all round with Venetian blinds, which have the double advantage of excluding the sun and of admitting a free current of air. The driver, a Malay boy, runs by the side of the horse, with whose pace he never seems to have the slightest difficulty in keeping up. He frequently carries a large horse-hair tail, which he continually uses to brush away any flies or reptiles which may annoy the animal, encouraging him to his work by his voice only. Where the roads are good, these palanquins are much to be preferred to doolies, or any other description of vehicle carried by men, having the advantage, in this case, of the society of a friend, and also that of proceeding at a much more rapid pace The Government House is situated on the top of a slight eminence completely overlooking the town, and, from being the highest spot in the neighbourhood, is reckoned extremely healthy; although, indeed, the whole settlement has acquired, and I have no doubt deservedly, a name for salubrity; the houses, too, being both large and airy. From the low prices at which provisions can be purchased and service obtained, many luxuries can be procured, which greatly conduce both to the health, as well as the bodily comforts of those who are foreign to the soil. No one thing, perhaps, strikes a stranger so forcibly at his first arrival in India, or one of the Company's dependencies, as the apparently luxurious life the Europeans enjoy, and perhaps no feeling dies away so quickly. It is, indeed, a change, after being accustomed to one small cabin for four or five months,-even that, perhaps, shared by a friend or acquaintance,-to find oneself roaming through these lofty saloons, which, upon the VOL. XI.NO. CXXX. the never-ceasing motion of the punka. Every thing so quiet and soothing; the servants, though ever so numerous, stealing through the apartments without noise and confusion, and at the magic words, "Qui hi?" (Who waits?) though spoken at the lowest pitch of the voice, one or more instantly appear, ready to hear your commands. Attached to each sleeping apartment was a bath-room, a necessary comfort in this climate. On the beds were very hard mattresses, covered with china mats; thus rendering them deliciously cool. A glass window is unknown, the entire house, on every side being fitted with Venetian blinds. From Captain Cunynghame, while at Sincapore, we have the following testimony on the pernicious and degrading effects of opium smoking : Opium smoking is carried on at Sincapore in unrestrained liberty, the moral conduct of individuals being more in their own keeping than is considered consistent with propriety in the paternal kingdom. Here the unfortunate victims of this degrading vice may be seen undergoing all the different stages consequent upon the use of this pernicious drug. Some, totally bereft of their senses, wallowing, like beasts of the field, in filth; whilst others, not yet arrived at that stage of listless inactivity, are throwing their emaciated bodies into the contortions of maniacs, revelling with each other. A singular prophecy which Captain Cunynghame relates, shows the excited state of the public mind consequent on our invasion of the empire, and also indicates more knowledge of European history and modern science among the Chinese prophets than they receive credit for: During the time the boats from H.M.S. Cornwallis were landing at Fooshan, a total eclipse of the sun took place. This is invariably considered by the Chinese as a very unfavourable omen, boding nought but evil to the country wherever it may be visible. Under present circumstances, their superstitious fears were doubly roused, and, as I afterwards ascertained, numbers of them stated it would be madness to resist us, being convinced that we were leagued in close connexion with devils and demons, and assisted by them to the destruction of all who opposed our will. The four first dreadful Upon this occasion a soothsayer prophesied-and the sequel shows with how much truth-that fire, flood, famine, war, and pestilence, would all take place in this province during the season. scourges visited this unhappy people, in the widest sense of the word. The fifth (pestilence) was not the less relentless among our own ranks: vast numbers of brave young fellows meeting an untimely grave ere many weeks had passed-their only shroud the waters Another prophecy was also freely of the ocean stream. handed about-that their country would be conquered by a woman, assisted by ships, which should progress over the waters unassisted by sails, and against contrary tides. These two circumstances had apparently come to pass, in regard to our beloved queen having sent us on this distant expedition, with such a numerous fleet of steamers, (or, as they are called there, fire-ships.) They were naturally all of one mind, that the day of the celestial power was near its completion, and that an empire, which for its durability had become proverbial, would ere long be overturned, and that they should be placed under the control and government of the "Redhaired Barbarians," after the same manner that the fair plains of Hindostan had fallen under their sway. Prophecies of the above character are common to all countries during great political convulsions- "When coming events cast their shadows before." A ludicrous incident is related of a barber at Nankin, which displays the superstitious horror entertained by the Chinese for the "red barbarians." A friend of our author's One day stepped into a barber's shop, and by way of 3 H employing his time, he desired the barber to shave his head. This gentleman wore a wig, but which, for the sake of coolness, he had placed in his pocket; this operation of shaving, so common in China, was speedily and quickly executed-the barber seeming to be delighted with the honour of shaving one of the illustrious strangers. Previously to his leaving the shop, and while the man's attention was called in some other direction, my friend replaced his wig upon his head, little thinking of the result of this simple process; no sooner, however, had the barber turned round and observed him, whom he had so lately cleared of every vestige of hair, suddenly covered with a most luxuriant growth, than, taking one steady gaze at him, to make sure he was not deceived, he let fall the razor, cleared his counter at a bound, and running madly through the crowd, which was speedily collected, cried out that he was visited by the devil. Though discipline was, on the whole, well preserved among the British troops in China, it was found impossible altogether to restrain the natural propensities of victorious soldiers, who might deem it unjust in their officers to mulet them of their fair privileges. Captain Cunynghame tells some amusing anecdotes of their ingenuity in evading orders : On our return to the water's edge, I observed a crowd of country people busily engaged in purchasing cloaks, silks, &c., from the native followers of the army; dozens of the very richest of these, lined with fur, were thrown over the city walls, a few trifling pieces of silver being hauled up in return. This species of plunder was put a stop to as far as practicable; but these articles having been taken from the houses of the mandarins and government officers, were considered by the soldiers lawful booty. Great lenity was invariably shown towards the inhabitants of the different towns which we occupied, strict orders being given by the heads of departments, not to molest or interfere with the people in any way, and by no means to despoil them of any thing they had in their possession. Some of the soldiers were, however, far better financiers than their chiefs imagined; and being placed as sentries at the different gates of the towns, politely requested-and, it is needless to add, were seldom refused-a sum of money from every Chinese who passed through. In times of alarm, this species of black mail amounted to a considerable sum, it being almost impossible, when discovered, to make the people themselves understand that this tax was not levied by authority. Upon one occasion, an officer of very high rank was stepping through the gate as this impost was being levied, and in the hurry and confusion of presenting arms, the sentry let his whole bag fall to the ground. An inquiry was immediately made into the circumstance; and, upon examination of his purse, it was discovered that, although the man had only been at this post halfan-hour, no less a sum than forty dollars was found in it, clearly showing what a good harvest he had reaped from the financial speculation which he had undertaken. While the negociations were pending which led to the restoration of peace, several friendly visits were exchanged between the Chinese and British Commissioners, accounts of which are already before the world in different narratives. But the account of Captain Cunynghame possesses some novel traits, which render it worthy of attention: Friendly meetings now occasionally took place, many of the mandarins going on board H. C. S. F. Queen, the vessel appropriated to the use of Sir H. Pottinger and his interpreters. He, on the other hand, meeting them in some of the public buildings on the outside of the city. After the lapse of a few days, and while these negotiations were going on to the satisfaction of both parties, Elipoo, and the other chief commissioners, tendered an invitation to the heads of our naval and military authorities, to a breakfast, which it was their wish to give in a large joss-house, immediately in front of where H. B. M.'s fleet were anchored. This was accepted with pleasure, notice being sent to all officers who wished to attend that they had free liberty granted to do so. The meeting of those so recently in arms one against the other, now upon a friendly footing, was curious, and worthy of description; for I must add that, on both sides, all animosity seemed to be entirely laid aside, and nothing but good will to be the order of the day. Upon our landing on the banks of the canal, at one of the triumphal arches which are so constantly to be found placed over the road leading to any building of note, sedan chairs were in attendance, to convey any of us who might not wish to walk to the audience chamber, a distance of three or four hundred yards. On coming into the inner gateway, the band of the commissioners struck up a tune which, perchance, was meant "God save the Emperor!" It, however, bore no resemblance to our national anthem. Here excellence seemed to lis more in the strength of lungs and force of arms which they displayed in the use of the trumpet and drum, rather than in any modulation of tones. We passed between a file of soldiers, who lined the way on either side, about three paces distant from each other, fine-looking men, and doubtless not chosen from among the worst-looking troops in the town. We were then ushered into the presence of the commissioners themselves, who were seated at the top of a table covered with sweetmeats, fruits, cakes, &c., chairs being left for the plenipotentiary, the generals, and the ad miral, and a number of seats being arranged on each side for the officers of either of our services who had come to witness the meeting, a vast number of whom were in attendance. Elipoo, in particular, appeared a fine old man, his countenance beaming with intelligence and kindness. Had the advice he gave been adopted at an earlier period by the court of Pekin, how much bloodshed, how much ruin and devastation, and what an immense amount of treasure, and what was, probably, felt far more keenly by the emperor-how much humiliation would it not have spared China ! What desolation, misery, and suffering would it not have averted from thousands of his subjects! All three commissioners were very affable, making constant inquiries as to the rank of the different officers who were presented to them. The Tartar general pleaded sickness as an excuse for his non-attendance st this meeting, which could have been any thing but a pleasing spectacle for him to witness-more particularly in the presence of a portion of his own troops; compara tively but a handful of men dictating terms to the com missioners of an emperor, who, until that moment, bad shewn so great a contempt for the Fanqui, that he had constantly refused them admission to his presence, t less coupled with such degrading and humiliating observances as the Kow-Tow, which inhabitants of say free and enlightened nation would not dream of paying, save only to the Deity himself. We partook of a great number of curious dainties, preserved fruits, and sundry cups of a very peculiar tea, highly perfumed, of a light green colour, the leaves of which were allowed to remain at the bottom of each cup. This we drank with t cream or sugar. Next, we tasted some very excellent wine, which we were told had been extracted from grapes, both of which were served to us by the hands of mandarins, with brass buttons, a mark of distinction such as had never been shown upon any previous occa sounds of some instruments which resembled very much, sion. During our repast, we were regaled by the dulot in their joint effect, the Highland bagpipes. These composed the private band of his excellency Elipoo. After a martial air or two having been played by the band of H. M.'s 18th Royal Irish, at which the Chinese seemed both delighted and amused, we took our leave, a Chinese salute of three guns being fired, as well upon our depar ture as our arrival. It was a singular circumstance, that at this said breakfast, one of our chief interpreters was waited upon by a mandarin of consideration, who had received the actual button and peacock's tail he then wore by sanction of the emperor, for having, a year previously, stated that he had put to death, at Amoy, the very gentleman whom he then at-river, but which it will behove any one who may chance tended. Indeed, so great is their vanity, that, upon the to visit muddy streams to remember: into about a quart second taking of that city, many representations adorned of water they throw a small pinch of alum; leaving it the walls, showing with what glorious success they had to stand a few minutes, it becomes as clear as crystal, a repeatedly worsted the foreign barbarians. considerable sediment being found at the bottom. Not even the poorest fisherman but is always provided with a small portion for this necessary purpose. After all that has been written on the religious institutions of China, their worship in their temples is but imperfectly understood by Europeans. Captain Cunynghame was once the spectator of a scene, which we are at a loss whether to describe as actual gambling with the gods, or a species of divination practised by the worshippers, which is superintended by the priests. He had been examining the wonderful Porcelain Pagoda of Nankin, and says: Having again descended, we entered a superb temple, which is joined to the pagoda, on its west side, by a covered way; this was one of the largest, as well as handsomest, I had yet seen, and appeared crowded with devotees at all its principal altars. We were curious enough to pay some attention to their form of worship, at which they seemed rather pleased, doubtless fancying we might take a hint, which would be of inestimable benefit to us: kneeling down in front of the altar, the suppliant to that particular god in whose honour it had been erected, and whose figure was represented immediately behind it, commenced by bowing repeatedly his head, each time touching the ground, sighing, and reciting, in a low tone of voice, certain words. An attendant priest then placed in his hands two pieces of bamboo, the two being about the size and shape of a potato, divided longitudinally; again bowing, he threw these upon the stone pavement before him, the priest, and the bystanders as well as himself, intently observing how they should fall this he repeated many times. At each cast there was a slight exclamation from every one around him-sometimes in a tone of pleasure, sometimes in that of disappointment, according to the way in which the pieces of wood rested. This game, a species of hazard, himself versus the god-a fine fat, corpulent gentleman -he continued, with varied success, for a considerable time; at length, making a lucky hit, he suddenly jumped up, apparently well pleased with his throw, and retiring, gave place to the next expectant for equal good fortune. At Canton Captain Cunynghame saw some extraordinary adjuncts to one of the idol temples. He says:We crossed the river, and visited the joss-house of Honan, which occupies a considerable space of ground; it is divided into many temples and cells for monks, besides possessing a large garden in its rear, which, from being situated so conveniently as regards the town, no doubt adds considerably to the profits of the establishment. Perhaps one of the most remarkable features about this holy building, is a sacred swinery, which is kept up with religious care by the holy brotherhood. Many of these beastly monsters have grown to a hideous form and size. They are entirely supported from the contributions of the visitors to the temple. None of them, I was told, were allowed to be killed; but I very much suspect that their numerous offspring constantly supply the padres' board, the veil of sanctity protecting them but slenderly from this swine-devouring community. Captain Cunynghame's Chinese experiences enable him to give a valuable recipe for purifying muddy water, which may easily be put to the test of experiment. The waters of the Wangho and Yang-tse-kiang are highly surcharged with mud, the former containing one seventieth part, and the latter one ninety-sixth, of earth. This renders them both unpleasant and unwholesome to drink, and to it may possibly be attributed a portion of the sickness we sustained. The Chinese have adopted a very simple remedy for this evil, one far simpler and equally efficacious with our filter, but which, unfortunately, was not discovered until we were leaving the There were several pastry-cook shops. The sweetmeats, cakes, &c. &c. though totally different from any thing we were accustomed to, were many of them very agreeable to the palate. Silks and satins of all sorts were to be seen on every side; curiously worked fans and fan-cases without end. The market was kept exceedingly cleanly; and, as I before said, overstocked with provisions, amongst which were the finest pigs the world could boast of. These are fed with the greatest care, and carefully washed daily. They were exposed for sale three and four together, hung up in small baskets, in the same way as fowls are sold in our markets. At the same stalls, and likewise in small baskets, were plenty of fine, chubby, little puppy-dogs. These, from three to five weeks old, were equally well fed and cared for as the sucking-pigs, and, I doubt not, equally palatable; though, from old prejudices, they, I believe, did unless to those who, having Chinese cooks and compa not become generally an article of diet to the Europeans, dores, no doubt frequently introduced these little curlyhaired gentlemen into their most dainty dishes, their masters not having an idea of the species of food they were eating with such gusto and relish. The species most prized, indeed, to which the dignity of being devoured is exclusively allotted, were either black, white, or of a light brown colour, both the skewbald and pie-bald being exempt from this honour. It was also a sine qua non that each one should not only possess a black roof to his mouth, like a Skye terrier, but also his tongue must be of the same sooty hue. Should they unfortunately not possess this, they stand left to bow wow their vulgar existence to an end. This no chance of gracing the table of the mandarin, but are animal is never eaten by the higher orders after it has tasted meat. I have, however, seen the poorer classes in the south cutting up many an old fellow as big as a sheep; and after being properly stewed, they eat them with the utmost apparent relish. The curiosity-shops of Canton, where so much of the national character and manners are to be seen, must be of great interest to foreigners : The most remarkable street, says Captain Cunynghame, is that which contains the curiosity shops, and the birds'-nest pickers, (I mean those who are preparing the birds'-nests for soup;) the latter of these are very numerous, and seem to employ a vast number of men, who are constantly separating, with great agility, the particles of length of the nails seems to be of considerable convedirt and feathers from the nest, in which occupation the nience; the former, the venders of antiquities, generally make a good harvest among strangers, rating their demands according to the dispositions of their purchasers; having a peculiar talent of scanning, by the face, not only the depth of the purse, but the freedom with which its contents will be disbursed. These shops are certainly loaded with the rarest curiosities; such, indeed, as from their eccentricity, as well as real merit, would be highly prized at home; already has more than one shop been bought entire, and shipped for England. Cut Jade-stone seems to be the highest prized; a small jar or figured cup frequently costing as much as three or four hundred dollars; beautiful copper vases and figures are innumerable, many of which are of immense age and chaste design. Already, however, have this thrifty race commenced the fabrication of antiquities, so that it requires to be somewhat a judge not to be deceived. Some rare china is occasionally to be found, dating prior to the Myng dynasty; it fetches a considerable price in Canton-far more so than it would in London, its merit not being properly understood out of the country itself in which it is made. Nankin china very far surpasses any which is made further south. We visited the house of a Chinese resident gentleman, which was beautifully arranged, and most unique as to furniture and embellishment. To describe the tout ensemble is utterly impossible. In its inner court-yard were large fish preserves, interspersed with artificial rock work, and water-lilies and other aquatic plants were flourishing luxuriantly. Of this species of garden the Chinese are particularly fond. somewhat remarkable that with so keen a scent among our litterateurs after whatever is best and most popular in foreign literature, the racy chronicle of Bernal Diaz should have so late been introduced to the British public, who, we are persuaded, will give it a warm welcome. A simple chronicle it is, or History behind the scenes, in undress and at her ease by the fireside, instead of wearing her dignified stage costume. Its tardy appearance is the more remarkable from the high and just character which Dr. Robertson, who has made considerable use of it in writing his history of America, has given of this racy narrative. We fully subscribe to his judgment when he says, "Bernal Diaz's account bears all the The Canton shopkeepers are a shrewd race. The following trick, played off by one of them who kept a cof-marks of authenticity, and is accompanied with such fee-shop, is irresistibly comic: pleasant naïveté, with such interesting details, with such amusing vanity-and yet so pardonable in an old soldier, who had been, as he boasts, in a hundred and nineteen battles-as renders his book one of the most singular that is to be found in any language.” Besides this harmless vanity, Bernal Diaz displays The space in the front of the factories is exceedingly limited; so much so as to render any thing beyond pedestrian exercise absurd. Prompted, either by vanity or by an irresistible love of the quadrupedal species, an American gentleman brought his horse from Macao, and for some days persisted in riding up and down a space of ground not much larger than the deck of a seventy-some little jealousy of Cortes,—the monopolizer of all four. In doing this, he was obliged to pass, at each turn, a certain coffee-shop, the owner of which speedily saw a method of turning to his own account the curious propensity of the foreigner, and actually placed on his doorway an advertisement stating that he had hired a Fanqui to ride opposite his house for the diversion of his guests, from five to six every evening, and begged those who wished to see the sight would patronize his house at that hour. Great was the delight of Jonathan at the crowd of spectators who were gathered round him for the next few succeeding days, and deep was his annoyance upon the truth of the matter getting wind among the community-the circumstance transpiring by reason of one of their number, a good Chinese scholar, having been himself attracted to read the advertisement. It is needless to add, the horse went again to Macao, by the first opportunity. As Captain Cunynghame's work has no pretensions to either originality of information or profound disquisition of any sort, we imagine that we have done enough in the above selections to give the candid reader a fair idea of the character of an agreeable and readable book, and one in which those who are still unacquainted with the history of the late Chinese war, and the social condition of China, will find considerable instruction. Its author has amply fulfilled his own purpose; nor can we impute any fault to him, save being somewhat late in the field. The Memoirs of the Conquistador, Bernal Diaz Del Hatchard & Son. This is one of those curious old books to which, if enrolled among the great quarterly reviewers instead of the humble monthly chroniclers of literature, we should have liked to dedicate many pages. The author was a brave old soldado, the companion in arms of Cortes, in the conquest of New Spain, who, in old age and retirement, amused himself with writing the history of the 119 battles in which he had been engaged, and the memorable events he had witnessed. His translator truly says: "His account is acknowledged to be the only one in which we can place reliance, and it has been the magazine from which the most eloquent of the Spanish writers on the same subject, as well as those of other countries, have borrowed their best materials." It is the glory, and a good share of the gold,-which, however, is neither unnatural nor unamiable in a veteran Conquis tador intimately conversant with the deeds of those whose prowess had enabled their leader to reap so rich a harvest. Two learned licentiates, to whom he had given a sight of his memoirs, charged him with vain-glory, in recording his own achievements, from which he vindicated himself by referring to the honours the king had conferred on him for his services, and by the neglect which had been shown to him and his brethren in arms by the other historians of the conquest of Mexico. The old soldier says, Another reason why I have written this true account is, because the historians Illescas and Gomara never mention a word in our praise, but give to Cortes alone all the glory of our conquests. If they had been honestly inclined they would not have passed us, the Conquistadores, by in silence; a share of Cortes' heroic deeds is also due to me, for in all his battles I fought among the first; besides that, I was present in so many other engagements in the provinces under his officers, as you must have seen in the course of this history. I can also claim my share of the inscription which Cortes pri on the silver culverin, we called the Phoenix, and which Cortes sent a present to his majesty from Mexico. "Who," says the veteran, "could speak of these battles save those who were engaged in them, not the sparrows that flew over our heads, nor the clouds that floated above the battle field?" And if he did not suppress his own achievements, he also did ample justice to those of his companions. The heading of the short chapters of Bernal Diaz form of themselves a pithy epitome of the history of the Conquest of New Spain; proceeding in this way : How all the caziques and calachonis of the river Gri jalva arrive with presents, and what happened after this. -How Doña Marina herself was a caziquess, and the daughter of distinguished personages; also a ruler over a people and several towns; and how she came to Tabasco. -How we arrive with our vessels in San Juan de Ulua, and what we did there.-How Teuthlille makes his report to Motecusuma, and gives him our presents; as also what further took place in our camp.-How Cortes goes in search of another harbour and a good spot to found a colony, and what further happened.What happened on account of our bartering for gold, and of other things which took place in our camp. How we elected Hernando Cortes captain-general and chief justice until we should receive the emperor's com mands on this head; and what further happened. Doña Marina, referred to above, was the heroine of the conquest of Mexico. A more graphic account of this celebrated female is to be found in the pages of Bernal Diaz than in any other history; and a relation, interesting in itself, may serve as an example of his manner of writing. her to a cavalier of the township of Orizava, named Juan Xaramillo. Among others, there was present as a witness a certain Aranda of Tabasco, through whom this circumstance became immediately known. These are the true particulars of the whole case, not, however, as related by Gomara. For the rest, Marina had the most extensive influence in New Spain, and did with the Indians what she pleased. On the following morning, it was one of the last days While Cortes was staying in Guacasualco, he ordered in March 1519, a number of caziques, with the principal all the caziques of the province to assemble, and advise d personages of the Tabasco district and surrounding them to adopt our holy religion. On this occasion, the neighbourhood, arrived. They paid us profound reverence, and brought a present, consisting in four diadems, mother and brother of Doña Marina also made their apsome lizards, ear-rings, four ducks, figures like dogs, pearance with the other caziques. They recognized others with Indian faces, two sandals with golden soles, each other immediately; the former, however, appeared to be in the greatest anxiety, thinking that they had and various other trifling trinkets of gold, whose value I have forgotten. There were also cloaks as the Indians merely been called there to be killed. Doña Marina, wear them, which are very commodious. The present however, desired them to dry away their tears, and comforted them by saying, they were unconscious of altogether was of little value, (most likely the province what they were doing when they had sent her away to altogether possessed few riches,) and was certainly not to be compared to the twenty females with which they the inhabitants of Xicalango, and that she freely forgave the past. By this means, God certainly directed every presented us, among whom one was a very fine woman, who subsequently became a convert to Christianity, and thing for her best, turned her away from the errors of was named Doña Marina. Cortes was vastly pleased heathenism, and converted her to Christianity. Thus destined, she likewise bore a son unto her master with this present, and held, by means of Aguilar, a long Cortes, and then married a cavalier named Juan Xaradiscourse with the caziques, telling them, among other things, that their present was very acceptable; but he millo. All this I consider of much greater importance had something further to beg, namely, that they should than if she had been presented with the sole dominion of again return to their dwellings with their wives and the whole of New Spain. She likewise gave presents to her relatives on their return home. What I have rechildren. He should not consider the peace really concluded, unless within the space of two days all the in-lated is the strict truth, and I can swear to it. Gomara's habitants had returned to the village. The caziques upon this issued the necessary orders, and in a couple of days all the families had returned. They showed the same readiness to comply with Cortes's wishes when he desired them to do away with their idols and human sacrifices. He likewise, as well as he could, gave them some idea of our holy Christian faith, and how we only adored one God. We also showed them a very pious figure, representing the mother of God holding her blessed Son in her arms, and explained to them how we paid reverence to this figure, and by it to the mother of God who was in heaven. Hereupon the caziques answered, that they were much pleased with this great Tecleciguata, and that they should much like to keep it in their village. In their language, Tecleciguata means a woman of distinction. Doña Marina was born a ruler over a people and country; for her parents had the dominion of a township called Painala, to which several other townships were subject, lying about twenty-four miles from the town of Guacasualco. Her father died when she was very young, and her mother married another young cazique. By him she had a son, of whom it appears they were both very fond, and to whom, after their death, they designed to leave their territories. In order, however, that the daughter of the first marriage might not stand in his way, she was conveyed secretly, during night-time, to an Indian family in Xicalango, they spreading the rumour she had died, which gained further belief from the circumstance, that a daughter of one of her female slaves happened to die at the time. The Indians of Xicalango did not keep the young girl themselves, but gave her to the inhabitants of Tabasco, by whom she was presented to Cortes. I knew her mother and half-brother myself, the latter having already reached manhood, and governed the township jointly with his mother. When they were subsequently both converted to Christianity, the latter was named Martha, and her son Lazaro. I was well acquainted with the whole of this circumstance; for in the year 1523, when Mexico and several other provinces had been subdued, and Christobal de Oli had rebelled in the Higueras, Cortes came to Guacasualco, and on that occasion visited Marina's birth-place. Most of the inhabitants of Guacasualco accompanied Cortes on this expedition; I myself was also among the number. As Doña Marina, in all the wars of New Spain, Tlascalla, and at the siege of Mexico, had rendered the greatest services in capacity of an interpretess, Cortes carried her every where with him. During this journey it also was that he married account respecting this is wholly erroneous, and he adds many other circumstances which I shall leave without comment. This, however, is certain, that the whole affair reminds one of the history of Joseph and his brethren in Egypt, when they came into his power. After this diversion into matters which subsequently took place, I must relate how we first managed to understand Doña Marina. She was conversant with the language of Guacasualco, which is the Mexican, and with that of Tabasco. Aguilar, however, merely understood the latter, which is spoken throughout the whole of Yucatan. Doña Marina had, therefore, first to make herself understood to Aguilar, who then translated what she said into Spanish. This woman was a valuable instrument to us in the conquest of New Spain. It was through her only, under the protection of the Almighty, that many things were accomplished by us: without her we never should have understood the Mexican language, and, upon the whole, have been unable to surmount many difficulties. We can give but one of the many battles recorded by our veteran, but it is memorable as being the first battle fought by Cortes in New Spain. When our Cortes being now certain that the Indians would renew the attack, immediately ordered all our horses to be brought on shore, and every one, our wounded not excepted, to hold himself in readiness. horses, which had been such a length of time at sea, now stepped on firm ground again, they appeared very awkward and full of fear; however, the day following, they had regained their usual liveliness and agility. The Indians were already moving forward in search of us, when we came up with them every one had a large bunch of feathers on his head, a cotton cuirass on, and their faces were daubed with white, black, and red colours. Besides having drums and trumpets, they were armed with huge bows and arrows, shields, lances, and large broadswords; they had also bodies of slingers, and others armed with poles hardened in the fire. The Indians were in such vast numbers that they completely filled the bean fields, and immediately fell upon us on all sides at once, like furious dogs. Their attack was so impetuous, so numerous were the arrows, stones, and lances with which they greeted us, that above seventy of our men were wounded in no time, and one named Saldaña, was struck by an arrow in the ear, and instantly dropt down dead. With like fury they rushed at us with their pikes, at the same time pouring forth showers of arrows, and continually wounding our men. |