that now lay in the way of the accomplishment of his great design, and began to hesitate whether he ought not at once to abandon all attempt to communicate with a people, with whom he could hold intercourse only by signs.

In the midst of this doubt and perplexity, he was suddenly relieved by the interference of one of his Indian slaves. This was Donna Marina, who, with nineteen other native women, had been given as a present to Cortez, by the cacique of Tabasco. She perceived the embarrassment and distress of the general when he was accosted by his visitors, and, immediately divining the cause, she explained their speech to him in the Yucatan dialect, with which Aguilar was acquainted. Cortez was overjoyed to find a person in his possession who perfectly understood the language of the great empire of Mexico, and considered this fortunate incident as a visible interposition of Heaven in his favor, designed to urge him forward in his great undertaking.

Donna Marina was baptized in the Christian faith immediately on becoming the property of the Spaniards, and received from them the name by which she is known to us. The services she rendered them during the war of the conquest were so manifold and important, that it is hardly too much to say that she was the main instrument by which Cortez effected the subjugation of the country. The alliance of the Tlascalans and Zempoalans was not of greater consequence to him than the possession of a person whose quick apprehension, fertile genius, and perfect knowledge of the Mexican language, furnished him

at once with information, and suggested expedients and precautions of the most momentous consequence in the invasion of a strange territory. She was not only the sole medium of his negotiations with the Tlascalans, the Zempoalans, the Mexicans, and other nations of Anahuac; but she frequently saved the lives of the Spaniards, by warning them of dangers, and pointing out the means of avoiding them. She accompanied Cortez in all his expeditions, serving him always as an interpreter and counsellor. She bore him a son, who became subsequently known, in the history of New Spain, by the name of Don Martin Cortez, and was made a knight of the military order of St. Jago. Her connection with the conqueror of Mexico did not prove an obstacle afterwards to her marriage with a respectable Spaniard, Juan de Xaramillo.

During the progress of Cortez through the country after the fall of Mexico, he came to Goazacoalco, where the mother and brother-in-law of Donna Marina resided. He summoned all the chiefs of the neighborhood to wait upon him, and among the rest came the two relatives of Donna Marina, in the greatest terror, and drowned in tears, thinking they were sent for to be put to death, in revenge for the wrongs they had done her in her infancy. Donna Mariņa, whose generosity was equal to her genius, received them, on the contrary, with the greatest affection, dried their tears, and assured them of her hearty forgiveness. She further made them some rich presents, and declared she should always be mindful of their welfare; adding, that she thanked God, who had taken her

from the worship of idols, and joined her to the true church; esteeming herself happier in her connection. with the Spaniards, than if she had been sovereign of all Mexico. "All this," says honest Bernal Diaz, in his quaint simplicity, "I heard with my own ears, and swear to the truth thereof. Amen."

MONTEZUMA II.

MONTEZUMA XOCOJOTZIN, or junior, the unfortunate prince who saw the crown of Mexico struck from his head by an audacious invader from beyond the ocean, was the grandson of Montezuma I., and was elected to the throne in 1502. He had in early life signalized himself in war, and also shared in the dignity of the priesthood. He was noted for the gravity of his demeanor, his taciturnity, deliberation and strong religious feelings. The messengers who carried the intelligence of his elevation to the throne, found him sweeping the pavement of the temple. The Mexican histories have preserved the speech addressed to him on this occasion by the king of Acolhuacan, one of the electors; and we are assured that Montezuma was so deeply affected that he thrice attempted in vain to reply, but was checked by his tears.

In the early part of his reign he discovered a strong passion for pomp, magnificence and ceremony. The palaces which he erected, surpassed all that had yet been seen for their grandeur and costliness. To meet the expenditure caused by these undertakings, he imposed unusually heavy and oppressive burdens upon the people, which occasioned much disaffection. Yet many acts of his administration indicated liberal views. The city of Colhuacan was converted into a hospital for invalids, where all persons who had served the empire either in military or civil employments