388

•APPENDIX.

[Part I.

to be nearly identical with the Hebrew name for theMessiah . 33 The Mexican hieroglyphics afforded aboundless field for the display of this critical acute-ness. The most remarkable passages in the Oldand New Testaments were read in their mysteriouscharacters; and the eye of faith could trace there thewhole story of the Passion, the Saviour suspendedfrom the cross, and the Virgin Mary with her at-tendant angels ! 34

The Jewish and Christian schemes were strangelymingled together, and the brains of the good fatherswere still further bewildered by the mixture of hea-thenish abominations, which were so closely inter-twined with the most orthodox observances. In theirperplexity, they looked on the whole as the delusionof the Devil, who counterfeited the rites of Chris­ tianity and the traditions of the chosen people, thathe might allure his wretched victims to their owndestruction . 35

But, although it is not necessary to resort to this

rough’s learned labors, spread overnearly two hundred folio pages.(See Antiq. of Mexico, tom. VI.pp. 282-410.) Quantum inane!

33 The word m?D, from whichis derived Christ, “ the anointed,”is still more nearly—not “ precise-ly,” as Lord Kingsborough states(Antiq. of Mexico, vol. VI. p. 186)— identical with that of Mexi, orMesi, the chief who was said tohave led the Aztecs on the plainsof Anahuac.

34 Interp. of Cod. Tel.-Rem., et

Vat., Antiq. of Mexico , vol. VI.— Sahagun , Hist, de Nueva Es-paña, lib. 3, Suplem. — Veytia,Hist. Antig., lib. 1. cap. 16.

35 This opinion finds favor withthe best Spanish and Mexican writers, from the Conquest down-wards. Solis sees nothing im-probable in the fact, “ that the ma-lignant influence, so frequentlynoticed in sacred history, shouldbe found equally in prolane.”Hist, de la Conquista, lib. 2, cap.4.