Note 20 — Chapter X

“The natives of these countries have learned trades, and have their shops, manufactories, and journeymen, and gain their livelihood thereby. The gold and silver smiths work both in cast metal and by the hammer; and excel, as do the lapidaries and painters. The engravers execute first-rate work with their fine instruments of iron, especially upon emeralds; wherein they represent all the acts of the holy passions in such a manner, that those who had not seen them execute it, would not have believed such to have been done by the hand of an Indian. The sons of the chiefs used to be grammarians; and were learning very well until they were forbidden by the holy synod, under an order from the Archbishop of Mexico. They excel in all manufactures, not excepting that of tapestry.”—Bernal Diez.