Chapter IX

ENVIRONS OF MEXICO--INTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA--ENTRANCE INTO THE CAPITAL--HOSPITABLE RECEPTION--VISIT TO THE EMPEROR

Preparations to enter the Capital 246 Army enters on the great Causeway 247 Beautiful Environs 248 Brilliant Procession of Chiefs 249 Splendid Retinue of Montezuma 250 Dress of the Emperor 252 His Person 252 His Reception of Cortés 253 Spaniards enter the Capital 254 Feelings of the Aztecs 256 Hospitable Reception 258 The Spanish Quarters 259 Precaution of the General 259 Visited by the Emperor 260 His rich Presents 261 Superstitious Terrors 262 Royal Palace 263 Description of its Interior 264 Cortés visits Montezuma 265 Attempts to convert the Monarch 265 Entire Failure 266 His religious Views 267 Montezuma’s Eloquence 268 His courteous Bearing 269 Reflections of Cortés 270 Notice of Herrera 272 Criticism on his History 274 Life of Toribio 274 Peter Martyr 277 His Works 278

BOOK IV

RESIDENCE IN MEXICO