Chapter 1

Locality and Political Divisions of Aztec Land.--Spanish Historians.--Boundaries.--Climate.--Egyptian Resemblances. --Products of the Country.--Antiquities.--Origin of Races. --Early Civilization.--Pictorial Writings.--Aboriginal Money. --Aztec Religious Sacrifices.--A Voluptuous Court.--Mexican Independence.--European Civilization introduced by Cortez.-- Civil Wars.--The Maximilian Fiasco.--Revival of Mexican Progress.--A Country facing on Two Oceans.--A Native Writer's Statement.--Divorce of Church and State 1