93. Character of Henry VIII.

94. Why did Henry VIII. oppose popery, and what was the beginning of the reformation?

95. When and by whom were the scriptures first translated into English?

96. How and when was the liturgy of the church of England introduced?

SECTION IV.

AMERICA.

97. Of the peopling of America. It is evident that many centuries after the old continent was well inhabited, and highly civilized, the American continent remained the residence of wild beasts only. By what means men found their way to this continent, is not quite certain; but there is good reason to believe, they passed from the northern parts of Tartary, to the north-western coast of America, not long after, and perhaps before the christian era. The Mexican traditions and historical paintings all deduce the origin of the Mexican nations from the north-west.

98. Progress of settlements by the natives. It is very probable from the Mexican history, that the natives of America migrated in hordes, clans or tribes; moving, like the Tartars, with their families and substance. These tribes probably ranged first along the western shore of North America, following each other in succession, like waves following waves, as they were invited to the south, by the mildness of the climate, or were driven by other tribes in the rear; until they seated themselves in the warm and fertile vales of Mexico. That country as well as Peru had become very populous when first visited by Euro

peans.

99. Settlements on the Atlantic. It is probable that when the warmer regions of America had become populous, the Indians began to spread themselves over the eastern parts of the continent, following the course of rivers, and the shore of the Atlantic. In this progress, they would first find the rivers that fall into the Mississippi, and pursuing them, would find and plant the rich intervals on these rivers. Then continuing their course, they would be led along the Alabama, the Tennessee, the Ohio and the Wabash, to their sources, and crossing the mountains and the lakes, would pursue the streams that fall into the Atlantic. And hence perhaps the tradition among the Indians of the United States, that their ancestors came from the south-west, and that the great Spirit resides in that quarter.

100. Time when America was first peopled. The Toltecas, the most ancient tribe in Mexico, date their establishment in that country, as far back as the seventh century of our era. This nation was nearly destroyed by a famine and mortal pestilence about the year one thousand and thirty-one. Other tribes succeeded this, and in the twelfth century, the Mexican tribe, which lived on the north of the Gulf of California, migrated, and after various removals, fixed their abode in the country, which bears their name, about the year thirteen hundred and twenty-five. This was about two hundred years before the Spaniards discovered and conquered the country.

All

101. Resemblance among the Indian tribes. the tribes of the primitive inhabitants of America, appear to resemble each other, in all essential parts of their character, except the Esquimaux, in Labrador. The people of Mexico and Peru, when first discovered, had made considerable advances towards an enlightened state, beyond the other nations. This was owing to a crowded population, which compelled them to cultivate the earth and attend to the arts for

subsistence. But in the northern parts of this continent, the Indians lived in a wild, savage state.

102. Climate of Mexico. Mexico, the capital city of the country, is in the nineteenth degree of north latitude, and of course in a warm climate. The valleys and plains of the country are hot, but the mountains are so high as to have a temperate air, and some of them, at times, are clothed with snow.

103. City of Mexico. Mexico was founded in the year 1325, on a small isle in the midst of the Lake Tezeuco. It was surrounded by water, but communicated with the land, by three causeys, raised with earth and stone, wide enough for ten horsemen to ride abreast; besides two, which were narrower and supported aqueducts to convey water to the city. When taken by the Spaniards, it was ten miles in circumference, and contained sixty thousand houses.

104. Buildings of the Mexicans. The Mexicans did not know the use of iron, but they had axes of

copper, and were acquainted with the use of lime. Their public bildings were of great size, with walls of stone laid in lime, and some of them polished to an uncommon degree. They bilt bridges also with stone arches.

105. Religion of the Mexicans.

The Mexicans

had an imperfect idea of a Supreme Being, and believing him to be invisible, they never represented him by sensible objects. They believed also, like the Greeks and Romans, in a number of inferior deities, who presided over the air, fire, earth, water, mountains and the like; and they believed also in an evil spirit, or god of darkness. They deified the sun and moon, and believed in the doctrine of transmigration; that is, that the souls of men after death pass into other animals, as cattle, birds, fishes and the like.

106. Worship of the Mexicans. Although the Mexicans did not represent the Supreme God by any sensible objects, yet they had images of their inferior deities, made of stone, wood, and some of them of gold or other metals. These were worshiped with prayers, fasting, and other austerities, kneeling and prostrations, with many rites and ceremonies. To these idols also they sacrificed human victims, selected from their slaves or prisoners of war, in such numbers and with such barbarity that the accounts of them cannot be read without horror and astonishment. Such is the state of nations, who do not enjoy the advantages of civilization and the Christian religion.

107. Traditions respecting the Deluge, &c. The Mexicans had distinct traditions among them of the creation of the world, the universal deluge, the confusion of languages, and the dispersion of mankind; and these events they had represented in their paintings. They believed that all mankind had been overwhelmed with an inundation, except one man and one woman, who were saved in a small boat and land

ed on a mountain. But these traditions were mingled with many fables.

108. Priests. The idolatry of the Mexican nations was remarkable for the number of priests, consecrated to the respective gods. It was their business to perform the sacrifices, compose hymns, take care of the temples and ornaments of the altars, keep the calendar, preserve the paintings, direct the festivals, instruct the youth, and offer incense. The priests never shaved their faces, but painted their bodies, bathed every evening, fasted often, and observed great temperance and austerities. The Mexicans all practiced severe cruelties on their own bodies, such as piercing and mangling the flesh, absurdly imagining that such mortifications would please their deities.

109. Mexican Year. The year among the Mexicans consisted of three hundred and sixty-five days. These days were distributed into eighteen months of