Part I.] ORIGIN OF MEXICAN CIVILIZATION.

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Mexico found out, that to this god were to be referredthe institution of ecclesiastical communities, remind-ing one of the monastic societies of the Old World;that of the rites of confession and penance; and theknowledge even of the great doctrines of the Trin-ity and the Incarnation ! 21 One party, with piousindustry, accumulated proofs to establish his identi-ty with the Apostle St. Thomas ; 22 while another,with less scrupulous faith, saw, in his anticipatedadvent to regenerate the nation, the type, dim-veiled, of the Messiah ! 23

Yet we should have charity for the missionarieswho first landed in this world of wonders; where,while man and nature wore so strange an aspect,they were astonished by occasional glimpses of ritesand ceremonies, which reminded them of a purerfaith. In their amazement, they did not reflect,whether these things were not the natural expres-sion of the religious feeling common to all nationswho have reached even a moderate civilization.They did not inquire, whether the same things werenot practised by other idolatrous people. Theycould not suppress their wonder, as they beheld the

21 Veytia, Hist. Antig., lib. 1, Kingsborough’s reading of thecap. 15. Borgian codes, and the interpret-

92 Ibid., lib. 1, cap. 19.—A ers of the Vatican , (Antiq. ofsorry argument, even for a casuist. Mexico , Vol. VI., explan, of PI.See, also, the elaborate disserta- 3, 10, 41,) equally well skilledtion of Dr. Mier, (apud Sahagun, with his lordship,—and Sir Hudi-lib. 3, Suplem.,) which settles the bras, — in unravelling mysteries :question entirely to the satisfaction „ mose primitive lradition reaches

of his reporter, Bustamante. As far as Adam’s first green breeches.**

83 See, among others. Lord