ABSTRACT
The chronological system of the Mexicans, by which they determined the date of any particular event, was also very remarkable. The epoch from which they reckoned corresponded with the year 1091 of the Christian era. A few of the Mexican manuscripts have found their way, from time to time, to Europe, and are carefully preserved in the public libraries of its capitals. A Mexican text looks usually like a collection of pictures, each one forming the subject of a separate study. An acquaintance with some of the more obvious principles of astronomy is within the reach of the rudest people. In the colleges of the priests the youth were instructed in astronomy, history, mythology; and those who were to follow the profession of hieroglyphical painting, were taught the application of the characters appropriated to each of these branches. The chapter concludes with the account of Mexican science with that of a remarkable festival, celebrated by the natives at the termination.
