may be said to have no individual property; and they are bound to cultivate the common property, without the hope of ever reaping the fruit of their labours. The new regulations of the intendancias direct that the natives shall no longer receive assistance from the general funds (caxas de communidades) without special permission of the Board of Finances of Mexico. The common property has been farmed out by the intendants, and the produce of the labour of the natives is poured into the royal treasury."
The chief preserve of the Aztec race is still in the territory immediately surrounding the capital—the valley of Anahuac. They swarm in Mexico city itself, and make Prsent-day
Aztecs. a living as vendors of water, mats, tortillas, and minor articles of domestic usefulness. Some of them are engaged in the manufacture of false antiquities; and although it is easy for the specialist to expose these spurious antiques, hundreds of unsuspecting visitors are annually victimised by their purchase. Some of the more superior Aztecs, however, deal in genuine pieces, and even these find it hard enough to overcome the distrust of the natives, even in the Federal District, who will conceal the fact that they possess any muñecas, or puppets, as they call antiquities, until the patience of the dealer is well-nigh exhausted.
The unhappy remnants of the Aztec race are prone to the consumption of large quantities of pulque and brandy, especially on Sundays, and this has probably much to do with the seeming poverty of their physique and low stature. In reality they are, however, exceedingly strong, and can carry burdens, which would crush a European labourer, for long distances. The Aztecs are proud of their language, and highly respect any foreigner who understands it. They are affectionate, in their domestic relations at least; and the parents evince great pride in their children, whom they pet and caress, as all Indians do. Stories reach one from time to time, based on good authority, to the effect that the
