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temple. Hundreds of persons sometimes joined in it, with the music placed in the center of the area. The lords were arranged in two or three circles, near the center; at a distance, other circles were composed of persons of inferior rank, and the exterior circles were composed of young persons. All the dancers moved in circles; those near the center moved slowly; those more distant moved more briskly, so that all the circles moved round in the same time.

141. Games and feats. The Mexicans had various games for public occasions, or for relaxation and amusement. One of these was the race, in which they were exercised from their childhood. They had also military games, in which the warriors represented a pitched battle. One of the most singular of their amusements was an exhibition of the flyers, used in certain great festivals. The manner is this. The stem of a lofty tree, stripped of its bark and branches, is fixed in the center of a square, with the end inserted in a wooden cylinder. From this hung four ropes, supporting a square frame, like a ship's main top. Between the cylinder and the frame were fixed four other ropes, which were twisted round the timber as many times as there were revolutions to be made. These were drawn through holes in the frame.

142. Manner of flying. The four principal flyers, disguised as eagles, herons, or other fowls, mounted the tree by means of a rope laced about it, tied the ropes round their bodies, and lanched from the frame with a spring, and began their flight with wings expanded. Their action put the frame and cylinder in motion; the frame, by turning, untwisted the ropes by which the flyers swung; and the lengthening of the ropes enlarged the circle of the flyers, and lowered them to the earth. While this process was going on, a man stood and danced on the top of the timber, beating a little drum or waving a flag.

143. Other games. The Mexicans were very fond of playing with a ball of three or four inches diameter, made of elastic_gum. They played in parties, two against two, or three against three; all naked except a

bandage round their middle. It was a rule of the game, not to touch the ball, except with the joint of the thigh, or the arm, or elbow. The player who caused the ball to reach the opposite wall, or made it rebound from it, gained a point.

Another play was, to place a beam upon the shoulders of two dancers, while a person danced on the top of it. They also danced, one man on the shoulders of another, and a third, dancing on his head, and displaying great agility.

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MEXICAN FEATS.

Such was the state of society in Mexico, when the Spaniards invaded and conquered the country in the year 1521.

The

144. Other Indian nations in North America. tribes of natives which were spread over the more northern regions of America, were far less advanced in knowledge, arts, and civility, than the Mexicans. They all cultivated maiz and beans, which constituted no small part of their food. Corn and beans boiled together when green, they called suckotash; a dish held in great esteem by their conquerors, and much used by us at this

day. But the cultivation of the earth was wholly performed by the women. The men were occupied in war, or in hunting or fishing, which supplied them with the flesh of deer, bears, beavers, moose, raccoon, and the like. They had no drink but water.

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145. Habitations and furniture. The dwellings of the savages were huts called wigwams, made with poles fixed in the ground, bent together, fastened at the top, and covered with mats of bulrushes. The fire was in the middle of the hut, and an opening was left at the top for the smoke to escape. Their beds were mats or skins spread on boards a little raised. For cooking, they used pots made of clay; their dishes and spoons were of wood, hollowed and made very smooth. Pails were formed of birch bark, made square, and furnished with a handle. Baskets were made of the same material, or of rushes, bents, husks of the maiz, silk grass, or wild hemp, curiously wrought and ornamented.

146. Dress. The natives of the northern parts of America had no clothing, when the English first came among them, except the skins of wild beasts, and a few

mantles made of fethers curiously interwoven. But all the natives of this country were very fond of beads and trinkets, for ornaments; fastening them to their arms, legs, nose, and ears. When the Europeans began to trade with them, they exchanged their skins for blankets, and other cloths, and these are their principal dress to this day. All savage nations are very fond of fethers.

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147. Money and arms. The money of the northern Indians consisted in the wampumpeague, usually called wampum, which was made of small shells curiously joined, and wrought into broad strings or belts. This was the medium of commerce, answering the purpose of silver and gold among other nations. The arms of the savages were bows and arrows, clubs, and especially the hatchet, called a tomahawk, which was a sharpened stone, with a handle. After the arrival of Europeans, they laid aside the stone, and procured iron hatchets. They throw these with astonishing dexterity, and are sure of hitting the object intended at a great distance. They had no defensive armor, except a kind of shield made of bark.

148. Canoes. All uncivilized nations make use of canoes, formed of bark or the trunks of trees made hollow. These are of various sizes, from ten feet in length to a hundred. To save labor, the Indians apply fire to the trunk of a large tree and burn it hollow; then finish the canoe, by scraping and cutting. When bark is used, it is molded into a suitable shape, strengthened with ribs of wood, sewed with strings or threads of strong bark, and the seams smeared over with turpentine. The bark canoes are so light, that they are often carried by the Indians from river to river, or round falls and over necks of land.

149. Virtues and vices. The good and bad qualities of Indians are few, or confined to a few objects. In general, a savage is governed by his passions, without much restraint from the authority of his chiefs. He is remarkably hospitable to strangers, offering them the best accommodations he has, and always serving them first. He never forgets a favor or an injury; but will make a grateful return for a favor, and revenge an injury, whenever an opportunity offers, as long as he lives; and the remembrance is hereditary; for the child and grandchild have the same passions, and will repay a kindness or revenge a wrong done to their ancestor.

150. Government and religion. The tribes of Indians were under a government somewhat like a monarchy, with a mixture of aristocracy. Their chiefs, called sagamores, sachems, or cazekes, possessed the powers of government; but they usually consulted the old men of the tribe on all important questions.

Their religion was idolatry, for they worshipped the sun, the moon, the earth, fire, images, and the like. They had an idea of the Supreme Being, whom they called the Great Spirit; and they believed in an evil spirit. They had priests, called powows, who pretended to arts of conjuration and who acted as their physicians.

QUESTIONS.

97. By whom and when was America first peopled?
98, 99. Manner of settlement of America?
100. When was Mexico peopled?

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