THE RELIGIOUS AND NATIONAL ANALOGIES BETWEEN THE
TYRIANS AND MEXICAN ABORIGINES—THE TRADITIONS
OF THE LATTER, &c.
ANALOGIES IN RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND IDOLS OF WORSHIP—SATURN—APOLLO—ASTARTE,
&c.—THE EMBLEM OF THE CROSS,
&c.
In investigating the important similitudes contemplated
in this, and the following Sections of the present
Chapter, the word Mexican (for convenience) will be
understood to comprehend all the Western Continent
in its ancient condition—not essentially North America;—and
by the words "ancient condition" we would be
understood to mean, that period of time, anterior to the
landing of Columbus. [1492 A. D.] The Tyrian customs
will be brought forward, and then compared with
the Mexican. The history of Tyrus will not be required
here, that interesting branch of our subject is
reserved for the Second Book of the present Volume.
The Religious ceremonies of the Tyrians would have
been lost, but for their being preserved by the
Carthaginians,—a colony from Tyrus,—and between whom
there existed the strictest union and friendship,—and
may justly be supposed to have practised the manners
and customs of the Parent country. The Tyrians, also,
would follow the customs of the Sidonians, and the
Canaanites, their original ancestors. Gathering, therefore,
evidences of Religious ceremonies from Canaan,
Sidon, Tyrus, and Carthage,—for they were all of the
Phœnician family,—we shall include those nations
under one general term,—viz. Tyrian,—for the same
convenience as the term Mexican is used.
Not only will the Tyrian customs be gathered from
the nations mentioned, but from the Bible also,—so that
the reader will perceive, that the ground for sustaining
our superstructure is not a light, or a sandy one.
The Tyrians were essentially Idolators,—so were the
ancient Mexicans,—the former built Temples to their
plurality of Gods,—the latter did the same.
The Tyrians sacrificed human beings upon the unhallowed
dedication of their temples:—the Mexicans
followed this horror of a false Religion to its full extent;
for at the dedication of the last chief Temple of Mexico,
nearly seventy thousand captives, taken during four
years' warfare, were sacrificed to propitiate their
Deities!
The Tyrians devoted human sacrifices to the God of
War upon slight disaster or defeat,—the Mexicans had
the same "remedy for sorrow:"—and the many Altar-blocks
discovered amid the Ruined Temple of Copan
(even now blood-stained) have been clotted with
human gore.
A very important God among the Tyrians was that
of Saturn—a description is necessary, on account of the
strong analogy to the Mexican Deity,—and that proved
by the Sculpture of the newly-discovered Ruins. This
strong similitude,—as a Rosetta-stone,—led us to the
first translation of the Architectural wonders. Cronus—or
the God Saturn,—among the Tyrians, was the
deity to whom were sacrificed the most beautiful infants
and children, and of the highest families;—it was
insatiate, ever asking, always receiving, and ever destroying!
This sacrifice to the Moloch of the Tyrians,
was derived from the Canaanites, their original ancestors.
Moses, in warning his people to beware of
the false Gods in the countries they might conquer, and
referring especially to that of Canaan, says—
"For every abomination to the Lord, which he
hateth, have they (the Canaanites) done unto their
Gods; for even their sons and their daughters have
they burnt in the fire to their Gods." [Deut. xii. 31.]
Again, in the third book of Moses,—the Lawgiver
says—
"And thou shalt not let any of thy seed [offspring]
pass through the fire to Molech." [Levit. xviii. 21.]—and
again God spake by his Prophet, "Whosoever he
be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn
in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech,—he
shall surely be put to death: the people of the
land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my
face against that man, and will cut him off from among
his people;—because he hath given of his seed unto
Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy
Name." [Levit. xx. 2, 3.]
In the New Testament this same God of the Canaanites
is called Moloch,—a name generally used in
poetry to express the demon of blood.
"Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch." [Acts
vii. 43.]
This was an ancient custom of the Canaanites, and
followed by their descendants, the Sidonians, Tyrians,
and Carthaginians,—it was, also, practised by the
Mexican Aborigines.
The Tyrian God Saturn, was represented in Asia and
Africa by a large metal Statue,—the figure was bent
slightly forward, with the hands extended, as in the act
of receiving, or soliciting:—the arms and hands were in
that position, that upon the child being placed in the
hands of the Statue, the weight of the smallest infant was
sufficient to displace its position, and consequently, it instantly
slipped from the hands of the Idol into a fiery
furnace,—ever burning beneath this God of Infanticide!
In this manner were the most beautiful
children of the Phœnicians destroyed, as an offering to
the insatiate Moloch.
This Canaanitish practice, which was feared by
MOSES, was actually practised centuries after by his
People, for another Prophet speaking of the impending
downfall of Jerusalem, and of her accumulated sins,
says,
"Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters,
whom thou hast born unto me; and these hast
thou sacrificed unto them [false gods], to be devoured
[by flames],—* * *—thou hast slain my children, and
delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire
for them." [Ezekiel xvi. 20-21.]
Now the Sculpture of the Ruins in Mexican America
illustrates this very custom of the Tyrians,—and as
it was one of the greatest importance with that nation,
so has it received more attention than any other
subject.
It can readily be imagined how many stages in
the progress of this infanticide would be in the Tyrian
nation,—as thus,—the Mother bringing the child;—the
reception by the Priests,—the sorrow of the Parent,
and other incidents in analogy with the subject. The
Sculpture of the ruined Temples at Palenque, presents
many of the progressive steps towards a consummation
of the sacrifice,—as thus,—Female figures, erect,
adorned with jewels and ornaments,—each figure with
a child in her arms, not in the attitude of receiving a
Mother's nourishment, but held by the Parent in such
a manner, as if in sorrowful contemplation of her infant
victim:—the costume, also, is essentially important, for
the Tyrian Children were selected from families possessing
station, wealth, and power. Other female figures
are represented seated, and in the most melancholy
postures, with downcast heads and looks, as if mourning
for that loss, which had made them Motherless!
In an inner apartment, believed to be the sanctum of a
Temple, is sculptured (in basso) the resemblance of the
dread Altar, portraying the entrance of the fiery furnace,—for
even the bars and grating are distinctly
visible; a large and monstrous Mask, or demoniac face
is directly above the fire-grating,—presenting that of
the remorseless Deity. On either side of the Altar-furnace
and Mask of Saturn, is stationed a young and
an elderly Priest of sacrifice, both standing, erect, upon
crushed and prostrate human beings: the Priests have
their hands and arms elevated, and each holds an
infant,—raised up towards the demon-deity, as if in
the act of presenting the victims. The ancients (from
their Mythology) believed that their God,—Saturn,—devoured
its own children,—thence the worship,—and
those who sacrificed a child to him, were supposed
to be under his peculiar care and guidance:—this
Sculptured Mask,—has a hideous face,—distorted eyes,
a ravenous and distended mouth,—and its tongue hanging
out, as if athirst for infant blood,—thus presenting
a perfect portraiture of the child-craving appetite of
the Demon. It must be evident that the above analogy
is a most powerful one,—nor have the parallels
been strained in order to prove their equi-character;—the
analogy is so strong,—and apparently so convincing,—that
it cannot fail to reach the mind of the reader
with a conviction of their identity.
The Sculpture described, having reference to the
Tyrian God—Saturn,—is, as we have stated, upon the
stuccoed walls of Palenque,—and, we believe, was
placed there as a record of a Religious custom, practised
anterior to the walls being stuccoed,—for, another
piece of Sculpture represents the perfect overthrow
of this worship, by a more sublime Religion, which
will be shewn in the third Volume. This discovery by
us, suggested the apparent truth, that the Temple of
Palenque was originally of stone, and dedicated to the
Sun (the elliptical stone tablet will prove that), and
that its second æra was the stuccoing of the walls,—this
fact we think can be established, to have taken
place about 350 years after the Temple was first
erected. As this subject involves that portion of our
History, which embraces the introduction of Christianity
into the Western Hemisphere, all argument to prove
the second æra in the Temple of Palenque, is reserved
for that Volume, devoted to the interesting and important
investigation.
The pictorial description given in the engraving,
furnished by Baron Humboldt, of the Mexican Calendar
found in the plaza of Mexico (buried in the time of
Cortez) has a direct bearing upon the Tyro-Mexican
Saturn, as represented at Palenque. The centre of the
sculptured Calendar-circle recorded by the great Traveller,—is
a horrid mask, or face,—nearly a likeness of
that at Palenque;—and one remarkable incident of
identity is, that each face has the tongue hanging out,
and by the muscular action,—in the same blood-devouring
manner. Now these Masks of Saturn (as we
have named them) were discovered many hundred
miles apart, which would seem to indicate that the
worship, or adoration of that heathen deity was a
general one, and practised by all the Mexican Aborigines.
The several Idol-obelisks at Copan, having the
Altars in front, were the personation of deities of less
denomination than Saturn,—but to whom, without
doubt, were sacrificed devoted victims and captives;—the
same also upon the pyramidal Altars of Cholula and
Quirigua. The Tyrians of Phœnicia had many minor
deities claiming human sacrifice.
Another analogy will now be produced equally as
powerful—if not more so, than that having reference
to the Tyrian Moloch. The Phœnicians had in their
several capitals a Temple erected to a tutelary, or National
God,—and that became the chief object of worship.
The Greeks copied this custom,—but, in the
Cecropian decision in the contest between Neptune and
Pallas, the Goddess was preferred,—and thus the "rejected"
on Mount Ida became the Guardian of the
Acropolis. The Daughter of Jupiter, in her character
of Minerva, was not only worshipped by Athens, but
by all Attica,—and under the name of Intellect, she is
now worshipped by every Nation! The Tyrians, from
their remote ancestors, the Canaanites, selected Apollo,
as their favourite and protective God,—although Jupiter
was the Chief of Gods with all the Heathens,—and was
worshipped under the name of Baal, or Belus, by the
Babylonians and Assyrians,—Ammon by the
Egyptians,—Jupiter by the Phœnicians and Greeks,—and as
Jove by the Romans.
The Sun,—(i. e. Apollo,)—as the Eye of Heaven,—was
worshipped by the Canaanites, Sidonians, Tyrians,
and Carthaginians as their protective God,—it never
left the great Phœnician family from the time of
Canaan the "cursed,"—the grandson of Noah,—to the
destruction of Carthage by the Romans,—a period of
near two thousand years.
The chief Games,—or public festivals, of the Tyrians
were the Heraclian,—i. e. those dedicated to Hercules-Apollo;—the
name was compounded by the Tyrians,
in order to personify the strength and power of their
God of Fire.
Apollo in the mythology of the ancients had many
attributes,—but the chief was that of being regarded as
the Symbol of the Sun, and as such, was worshipped
by the Tyrians, and had been from remote antiquity,
and even down to so late a period as the third century
of our own æra: for in 218, A. D., a Priest of the Sun,
officiating at Emessa, in Phœnicia, though a youth,
was elevated to the Imperial dignity at Rome, in the
person of Elagabalus,—and who, upon his arrival the
following year in his Italian Capital, endeavoured to
establish the absolute Worship of the Sun as practised
in Phœnicia. In this he succeeded, but in the fourth
year of his reign he was assassinated, when the Romans
returned to the adoration of their Jupiter.
The Sun was, also, the chief worship at Palmyra,
and upon the conquest and captivity of the heroic Zenobia
by the Emperor Aurelian, in 272 A. D.,—the conqueror
introduced the worship of Apollo at Rome:—but,
not as Elagabalus to the exclusion of Jupiter as
the chief Deity.
The celebrated Statue of the Apollo Belvidere, represents
the God in the attitude of having just discharged
an arrow from his "unerring bow,"—the attitude,
look, and general action, embrace that moment of
time during the flight of the feathered shaft,—all this is
merely symbolical of the Sun,—for the Statue illustrates
the triumph over the Deucalion Deluge:—as
thus.—After that Deluge the stagnated waters created
an enormous monster from the muddy slime, called
Python; (i. e. Pestilence)—Apollo (i. e. the Sun)
killed the monster with his arrows, (i. e. Sun-beams)—and
the Statue of the Sun-God represents, in his triumphant
look and lip, the ease and certainty of his
unerring aim and victory!
Apollo, therefore, is the Sun, and as such was regarded
and adored by the Tyrians; and such was their
devotion to the golden Statue of their God, that at the
last siege of their city (according to Plutarch), they
fastened it with chains of massive gold, and even nailed
the feet of the Statue, and thus doubly secured it to the
Chief Altar in the Temple of Hercules-Apollo,—who
being the chief object of worship by the Tyrians, (believing
that it was the flame of life,)—it cannot be a
matter of surprise, that such an attempt to secure their
"source of existence," should have been made against
their ruthless invader.
The reader need scarcely be reminded that the chief
symbol of worship among the Mexican Aborigines was
Apollo, as viewed by the Tyrians. There is not a
schoolboy but is familiar with the fact (from the pen
of Kotzebue and Sheridan,) that the chief deity of
their Temple,—the Sun,—was "the God of their
Idolatry!"
"The faith (i. e. worship of the Sun) we follow,
teaches us to live in bonds of charity with all mankind,
and die with hope of bliss beyond the grave!" [Pizarro,
Act 2. Sc. "Temple of the Sun."] This analogy
in the chief worship of the Tyrians and Mexicans, in
illustrating their identity, is as powerful as a sculptured
Crescent upon a gravestone,—to impress the passer-by
with the belief, that a Mahommedan sleeps beneath!
There is no record of the Phœnician or Tyrian
Banner,—but it may have descended to the Peruvians,—their
device being an Eagle gazing upon a brilliant
Sun!—it would not be an inappropriate Standard for
the Tyrians, considering their watchfulness of their favourite
God.
The Apollo-worship of the Tyrian and Mexican (together
with that of Saturn) we might enlarge upon, did
we not think, that the reader has already formed his
own affirmative conclusion of their identity.
As Apollo represented the Sun,—so did Astartē—the
Moon,—and she was the Chief Goddess of the
Tyrians, and was worshipped by the Mexican Aborigines.
Dr. Robertson distinctly states that the natives
of Bogota and Natchez worshipped Apollo and
Astartē,—but in so stating he did not attempt to establish
any National Theory. The fact is, however,
given, as will be seen in the following quotation,—viz.,
"Among the people of Bogota (South America) the
Sun and Moon were, likewise, the chief objects of veneration."
"The Sun was the chief object of religious
worship among the Natchez," &c. [Vol. v. b. iv.
p. 373-4.]
The latter, perhaps, were located upon the Mississippi,
when the Tyrian-Americans coasted the Gulf of
Mexico, as the Tribe of Natchez was the only one in
that part of the Continent, that practised the Tyrian
Customs.
Upon an emblem of this Goddess, will be established
one of the strongest analogies. The reader will be
startled at the following proposition,—but it is no less
the fact,—and it is given with peculiar force to sustain
identity—viz., that the emblem of the Cross (as seen
at Palenque) proves the Mexican Aborigines to have
been Tyrians!
In the first book of Kings [ch. xi.] it is recorded that
Solomon among his wives, had many Sidonians,—that
they "turned away his heart after other gods; and
his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as
was the heart of David his father.—For Solomon went
after [worshipped] Ashtoreth, the Goddess of the
Sidonians." (i. e. Tyrians.)
It was in consequence of this departure from The
God of Israel, that Ahijah prophecied to Jeroboam,
that he should have Ten of the Tribes of Abraham
for his kingdom, in the time of Solomon's Son and successor,—Rehoboam.
Ashtoreth is Astartē: the Goddess
of the Sidonians and Tyrians,—they are one and
the same.
Without attempting here a refutation of the assertion
by atheistical or deistical writers, that the monogram
of Christ (☧) was known six centuries before The Nativity,—it
will be sufficient for our present purpose to
establish, that the Cross was a Tyrian emblem, more
than three hundred years anterior to the time of Tiberius,—for
of that period (332 B. C.) we must again remark,
we are illustrating. It was, also, known in the
time of Solomon, for he worshipped the Tyrian
Astartē,—whose symbol was the Cross,—and this was
more than one thousand years before the Crucifixion!
Here then is a more remote period for a knowledge
of the Cross, as an emblem, than that assumed by
sceptics;—it is brought forward because it is the
truth,—and why did not deistical writers trace it to
the time of Solomon?—they knew, if they did, that it
would prove a strong link in the chain of Christianity,
and therefore, for their own purposes they avoided it!
We will shew this as we proceed.
In Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible, is found a pictorial
representation of the Coins of ancient nations. In
the plates giving those of Sidon and Tyrus (both must
be viewed as one) is the figure of Astartē, surrounded
by the words "The Sidonian Goddess" in the old Phœnician
characters. She is standing on the fore part of
a galley (emblem of Tyrian navigation)—full robed,—the
classic measure on her head,—a branch in her
right hand (emblem of peace and reward)—and in her
left hand a long Cross (emblem of war and punishment)—the
proportions are the same as the sacred one
used at Mount Calvary:—it is upright, and slightly inclines,
like a sceptre, across the inner part of the upper
arm of the Goddess. The following are Calmet's remarks
on the Coins.
"No. 4. Astarte,—holding the Cross;—standing
on a Ship (galley): the measure on her head," &c.
"No. 12. Astarte standing in her Temple,—holding
the long Cross in her hand—the shell, supposed to
allude to the Tyrian dye;—in the exergue,—An Altar
(i. e. of perpetual fire) burning before the Temple," &c.
It will be observed that the above manner of alluding
to the Cross of the Tyrian Goddess, is too positive (and
with the coins as witnesses) to admit even of a doubt
of its being an emblem of the Tyrians, and many centuries
before the period contemplated by this volume,
viz. 332 B. C. They then possessed the Cross, and
among the ancients they appear to have been the only
people,—with the exception of the Egyptians, who
probably copied it from the Phœnicians, to illustrate
their own worship of the Moon,—the Egyptian emblem
was thus—( ♀ )—and this has been falsely called the
sacred monogram,—for the Moon is shewn by the
circle—and the Cross was her general emblem.
Astartē carried a Cross merely as an emblem of punishment,
as her olive, or palm-branch was emblematical of
reward,—Solomon worshipped her, and her attributes,
upon his leaving the One God:—from David descended
the husband of The Saviour's Mother, as, also, the
Virgin herself, and after the Crucifixion, the Cross
became the emblem of Salvation!—and was no more
viewed as a Symbol of Idolatry, as in the time of
David's Son, or of a degraded death as in the time of
Tyberius:—may there not, in this very change of the
character of the emblem, in regard to its attribute of
worship,—from punishment to atonement, and by the
converted disciples from the same "chosen people," be
a mysterious token of the great precept by the Divine
GOD,—that from Evil cometh Good? We believe
every thing tending to the Glory of the CREATOR:
and even if the monogram used by Constantine did
exist centuries before the time of CHRIST,—but which
we deny,—yet viewing that subject with an eye of
faith it would be found to illustrate the Prophets,
and not detract from them or their Prophecies. We
have digressed,—the reader requires no apology,—the
subject will speak for us.
In the Mexican Ruins numerous instances are found
of the Cross,—it is in Sculpture and Stucco:—some
small apertures bear the same form, as thus, ✚ :—the
lower part being inconvenient for its specific adaptation,—it
was not, therefore, used. In one of the minor
temples at Palenque, the Cross with the lower part is
distinct, and in full proportion,—thus proving the
"long Cross" of Astartē,—the Tyrian Goddess,—to be
upon those Ruins. But without that—(for we desire to
reserve the sculpture containing the long Cross for a
future application)—the numerous Crosses, of a minor
character upon other Ruins are sufficient to testify to
the worship, or knowledge of Astartē, and her symbolical
attributes being known to the Mexican Aborigines.
Another analogy is in the Altars of perpetual fire,—and
their being watched by the Virgins of the Sun.
This was practised by the Tyrians as a branch of their
worship of the God of Fire—Apollo. The Roman
Vestals were copied from those of Phœnicia. The
same horrid punishment attended the loss of virtue by
a Virgin of the Sun, both in Tyrus and Mexico,—this
was also imitated by the Romans.
We have no history tracing the (to us) obscene
worship of Priäpus (i. e. Baal-peor) to the Tyrians,—nor
was it found among the Mexicans,—though it was
practised by the Egyptians,—and even by the all-accomplished
Greeks,—this was over 2000 years ago.[7]
The non-existence of this generative and religious
worship by both Tyrians and Mexicans,—although
practised by other ancient nations,—must be regarded
as another proof of identity:—for identity can be proved
by a negative,—with equal power to an affirmative
custom. The strong analogies in Religion must be
apparent to the reader.
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL ANALOGIES—HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL—A
TRANSLATION OF THE HIEROGLYPHICAL ALTAR OF
COPAN, &c.
History proves the fact that the higher orders of
animals and birds, have been selected as the symbolical
emblems of different nations,—as for instance, the
British Lion,—the Gallic Cock,—the Roman and the
American Eagle, and many others. The Dove was
the bird of Babylon and Nineveh,—this was natural,
as those cities were the most ancient, and nearest to the
time of the Deluge,—and consequently the Dove became
the apparent emblem of safety; and it is a strong
proof of the historical fact of the Deluge and the
"Dove." The next beautiful bird of a peaceful character
is the Swan, and this was selected by another
immediate branch of Noah's family—viz., the Canaanites.
It has already been shewn that the house of Canaan
was the original of that of the Tyrians. The antiquary,
Jacob Bryant, says concerning this emblem of the
Canaanites, "that where they, or their descendants
(i. e. Tyrians) may have settled, there will a story be
found in reference to Swans." Now when the above
learned writer penned that general remark, he little
thought that it would be brought to bear upon the
identity of the Tyrians in the Western Hemisphere;
and therefore, in its application, it is of greater authority,
from that very fact. He says—that where the
Tyrians may have settled, we may expect to hear some
story or tradition about a Swan or Swans. Admitting
this to be truth, (and he is quoted as authority upon
antiquities,) then is there proof that the Mexican Aborigines
were Tyrians, as the following incident from
acknowledged history will shew. About two centuries
before the Spanish Conquest,—the Aztecas,—(Mexican
proper) were oppressed by a neighbouring kingdom;
the latter demanded as a tribute, that the former
should bring one of their celebrated floating gardens
from the Lake of Mexico,—this tributary present was
accomplished, with great labour and difficulty. The
next year this demand was repeated, and with this
addition—viz., that their emblematical bird, the Swan,
should, also, be brought with it, and in the Garden, sitting
on her eggs,—and that the present should be so
timed as to its arrival, that the eggs should be hatched,
when the Garden was presented to the King demanding
the National tribute;—this was actually accomplished,
and the Cygnets came forth as the imperious
Monarch received the present. Now the substance of
the above was recorded by the Spanish Historian over
three centuries since, and with no idea to establish that
those Aborigines were Tyrians;—it may, therefore, be
received as a record of fact,—at all events it came to
the Historian from the Mexicans as a "story" of their
race,—handed down from sire to son, as a "tradition"
of their ancestors. In those respects alone—"story
or tradition"—the proof of identity required by Bryant
is completely established. "Where the Tyrians are
you may expect to hear some story or tradition about
Swans."—Well then, here is the "story" and "tradition"
together with the historical fact,—and Swans
form the material:—but, they have been dying in
music for centuries yet unregarded;—they have been
as a symbolical record buried in a people's Sepulchre,—and
which the opening of a Nation's tomb has alone
brought to light. The classic reader will remember,
that Jupiter assumed the form of the Bird of Canaan,
when he sought and won the love of Leda!
We will now endeavour to translate the Hieroglyphics,
and Sculpture, upon, and around, the Chief Altar
of Copan. We commence with the proposition
that the hieroglyphics merely explain the Sculpture,
and that if the Sculpture can be explained, the sense
of the hieroglyphics, as a consequence, will be translated.
If we shall read the Sculpture aright, we
believe that it will be found to record a National Act
of Friendship,—whereby the Tyrians had the power of
reaching America. We will not anticipate our History
by now stating the detail of that act of amity,—it will be
sufficient for the present purpose to mention, that the
act occurred between the Sidonians and the Tyrians,—it
was an act of friendship in front of death itself,—and
death in its most terrific form, both of torture and
of infamy.
Mr. Stephens, in writing of the thirty-six compartments,
or squares,—of hieroglyphics on the top of the
Altar, says—
"They without doubt record some event in the history
of the mysterious people who once inhabited the
City" (i. e. Copan).
We believe it,—and that the basso-Sculpture on the
four sides, as already stated, illustrates the hieroglyphics
on the surface. The details of the Sculpture must be
first reviewed, in order to establish even analogy in the
accessories of the Altar. 1st. The "two Serpents"—(and
the same are around the walls of Uxmal).
The Serpent with the Tyrians (who copied it from
their neighbours of Egypt) was their Agatho-dæmon,—or
good demon of the country,—and would naturally
be used to illustrate any strong act of faith, or friendship;
and as a mutual act of amity had taken place
between these two nations,—the Mother and Child,—for
Tyrus was "the Daughter of Sidon,"—it follows
that two serpents were necessary to illustrate the
compound act. We have seen an ancient Tyrian
Coin, on the reverse of which is a Serpent entwining an
Egg,—it may be translated thus,—an Egg is the emblem
of life, and it being very large upon the Coin in
proportion to the Serpent, represents the germ of the
Nation's life,—the Serpent by coiling around it, presents
the good demon (power or Spirit) of the Country protecting
the Egg, or Nation, from external injury by its
numerous embraces,—the warmth of which would,
also, bring it into active life. The Altar is described
as standing "on four globes cut out of the stone,"—now
a globe conveys the idea only of a perfect sphere,
but from the drawings of the Altar these "globes" are
distinctly oval, and consequently represent the form of
Eggs and not "globes!" On the Coin above alluded
to, the Egg is a principal emblem, and that of life,—and
those symbols forming the Corner-stones, or foundation
of the Altar, seem to illustrate that the story of
the Sculpture represents the very existence,—or rather
the birth of the Nation in its present locality, (i. e.
Copan). This we believe is the fact, and the warrant
for the assertion we will hereafter prove to be founded
on the authority of Classical History itself. This
Altar we have ever regarded as the Key-stone to the
Arch, of these historical sepulchres, and architectural
wonders of the Western wilderness.
The Serpents and the Eggs then are essentially Tyrian
emblems.
In the description of the Altar one of the two chief
personages holds in his hand an "instrument" or
sceptre—but each of the lesser figures an "object"—which
in the engraving is a spiral shell. These shells, also,
illustrate the Nation of Tyrus, for the spiral shell is
found upon nearly all the coins of that ancient country!
It was placed on their coins in honour of the discovery
of the secret of the celebrated colour, called by the
ancients,—the Tyrian Dye. That renowned colour
was not made from any earth or mineral, but from the
purple murex,—or the dye shellfish. It was first discovered
by a Tyrian on the shores of Tyrus,—who, wandering
with his Dog, suddenly observed the mouth of his
faithful companion to be empurpled,—and upon investigation,
he found that it arose from the animal crushing
between his teeth, a small shellfish, just then
thrown upon the Tyrian beach by the waters of the
Mediterranean. Improving upon the discovery, the
Tyrians became so renowned for their dye used in
regal and costly mantles, that in commemoration of the
event, they placed upon their Coins the shell,—nor
was the original discoverer forgotten, for upon a
Tyrian Coin (Calmet, No. 16) the Dog is seen approaching
the Shell! Some writers have questioned
the manner of the discovery,—but the last-mentioned
Coin confirms the historical account.
The Shell was also adapted to personify the marine
character of Tyrus,—and it being upon the Altar may
be viewed as another emblem of that country,—which,
with the Serpents and Eggs, cannot have been placed
there by caprice or accident,—but rather with absolute
intent, having reference to an historical design in the
Sculpture. The figures are all seated "cross-legged in
the Oriental fashion." Their very position then substantiates
Montezuma's assertion to Cortez, that his Ancestors
many ages past, come from "the East."
One of the chief personages to the "negotiation," as
Mr. Stephens calls the group, has a "Sceptre" in his
hand,—and there is none in the hand of the other King
or Cadmus,—(as the ancient Phœnician Chiefs were
called;)—this incident is another proof of the correct
reading of the Act of Amity; for at the time of its performance,
Tyrus had ceased to be a nation—but Sidon
had not,—the former had lost all her powers of safety,—the
latter retained them,—and could, and did extend
them to her "Daughter," who is represented as presenting
a Shell,—perhaps the Secret of the "Dye"—as
a tributary offering to her Parent,—who appears on the
Altar more elevated than the other Chief figure. This
still further illustrates the fact of the single sceptre and
its application.
Believing, from the general and early character of
the Sculpture, that Copan was the first built city in
Ancient America,—we are still further warranted in
the belief from the definition of the Chief Altar,—for it
appears to illustrate in every particular, both by incidents
and emblems, the last event of Tyrus in its
Asiatic history, but which was the first event leading
to the existence of the Tyrians in the Western Hemisphere.
This important fact will be detailed in the
History of Tyrus,—and at the present moment we will
observe (without anticipating the event) that there is
nothing in the Sculpture of the Altar, at variance with
the illustration of that fact of History; but, on the contrary,
every particular of the Sculpture completely
defines the Nation and the incident. The basso sculpture
of the Altar would, also, indicate an earlier erection
than the surrounding "Idols," which are in Alto.
An analogy is, also, found in the political divisions,
and the peculiar governments of the Mother-Country
in Asia and Africa, and her descendants in Mexican
America. In each Hemisphere there was a mixture of
Monarchies and Republics;—as thus,—Sidon and
Tyrus were governed by Kings—while Carthage, after
the death of her first and only Monarch—Dido—became
a Republic, and remained so,—and this fact
created the lasting jealousy of the Romans. The same
was in the Western Continent.—Mexico and other Nations
were Monarchies, while other portions of the
country were Republics. This is proved from the fact,
that the most powerful war Montezuma the First ever
engaged in, was that, in which the three Republics
joined as a common cause against the brave, but despotic
Monarch of Mexico.
As a National analogy may be viewed the Military
character and locality of Copan,—this, also, strengthens
our belief that this city was the first erected,—for although
on the Altars no Sculpture is found representing
weapons of war,—and in a Temple to Religion there
should not be,—yet this Temple is but the centre, of
what may be termed the Citadel of Copan. The entire
Ruins (it will be remembered) are traceable for a distance
of "over two miles," along the banks of the
River,—and on the opposite side, at the distance of a
mile, and on an eminence two thousand feet high, (thus
overlooking every approach to the city,) is found a
ruined Stone Structure, and almost evident from its
locality, to have been originally a signal, or watch-tower.
The city is, also, built on the banks of the
River, and above "the falls," thus forming a natural
defence against any approach from the Sea,—while any
attempt to reach the Citadel by water from the Source
of the River, was frustrated by the erection of a high
perpendicular wall ("nearly 100 feet"), forming a river
façade of "six hundred and twenty-four feet,"—(nearly
the eighth of a mile)—this is based upon an elevated
embankment of about "thirty feet,"—and was
formerly protected from any flooding of the river, by a
water-wall along the whole range of the Citadel-Temple.
The great wall is in ruins at the summit, therefore
many feet may have fallen down,—thus proving that
its entire height with the embankment (as before expressed)
must have ranged from one hundred and
forty, to one hundred and fifty feet. Now there is
nothing in Egypt (as a plumb-wall) to be compared
with this,—nor does the Nile of ancient days, possess a
perpendicular wall,—and there is no marine Nation of
antiquity that can lay the analogous claim to such a
wall, equal to Tyrus,—for her Citadel-city in Asia was
bordered by the waters of the Tyrian harbour,—and to
secure its safety from human invasion, or that of the
Sea, the ancient inhabitants of that Island-mart erected
perpendicular walls, one hundred and fifty feet in
height! Copan then possesses an analogy to the capital
of ancient Tyrus,—and as that was the last city left by
the Aborigines in Asia, it appears but natural that
they should endeavour to imitate it, in building their
first city in a foreign land. We submit that this is a
strong analogy, and founded upon justifiable reasoning.
The Wreck of an ancient Galley has been found in
Mexican America, deeply imbedded in the sands,—now
this must have been (upon a minute investigation) the
remains of a Phœnician vessel,—for the Greeks and
Romans had no galleys on the Atlantic waters, or even
the Indian Ocean, until the time of Alexander,—but
the Tyrians had,—and, as will be proved (in the next
Book of this Volume), nearly one thousand years before
the Christian Æra, and again, six centuries before the
period of The Advent.
Circumcision was practised in Mexican America from
two distinct reasons. 1st. From a supposition that it
was conducive to health; and 2dly, from a Religious
custom; this last fact will be required for the third
volume,—the former only will be here brought forward,
for the purpose of proving another analogy. Circumcision
was practised by the Egyptians, Ethiopians,
Tyrians, Colchians, and Cappadocians, upon the belief
that personal safety would be the result; and the custom
might, therefore, be viewed as a sacrifice to Hygeia,—the
Goddess of Health,—and in this sacrifice many
of the females of Egypt did not exempt themselves.
The custom, however, was optional,—this is proved by
the Egyptian Mummies!—There were no laws to enforce
it (except upon the Priests of Egypt), as among
the Israelites and Jews, with whom, as an entire people,
it was, and is, one of the most sacred customs, established
by a Covenant between The Father of the Universe,
and the patriarch of Israel. In the division of
the Land of Canaan between the Twelve Tribes, by
Joshua,—the Tribe of Asher was located on the confines
of Sidon and Tyrus.—Joshua re-established the
Covenant of Circumcision, after it had been purposely
laid aside by MOSES during the "forty years" wandering
in the Wilderness. It was, therefore, practised by
the immediate neighbours of the Tyrians, and it is
apparent to belief, that the custom was received among
the Phœnicians owing to their juxtaposition with a
Tribe of Israel. The Egyptians received the custom in
a similar manner,—viz., during the sojourn of Israel in
Egypt. The Tribe of Asher,—and its customs, gradually
encroached upon the Idolatry and manners of
the Phœnicians,—for we find (upon the authority of
Malte Brun) that the members of that Tribe (Asher)
were driven back from all the sea-coast to the interior,
by the Sidonians and Tyrians;—the custom, however,
in an optional character, remained with the Tyrians,—and
in that manner it was practised by the Mexican
Aborigines.
In viewing the above analogy, it must be evident to
the reader,—that in the fact of optional Circumcision
(no matter from what motive) another proof is seen of
the two distinct races in Ancient America,—for in the
North, as stated heretofore, where it is practised, it is
only in the form of a Religious rite.
The tradition of the ancient Mexicans as to where
they came from, is directly in favour of this work.
Upon Cortez asking Montezuma the Second, the origin
of the Mexican race,—the Monarch answered,—that
many ages ago they came from "The East"—(i. e.
from where the Sun rises)—and as he then was speaking
in Mexico, "The East" is at once defined to be
across the Atlantic Ocean. The coast of Phœnicia was
always denominated "The East"—this is absolute on
the authority of Holy Writ, and in that definition, Tyrus
is distinctly spoken of: viz.—
"All the nations have I destroyed before them: and
in the East, I have scattered the people of the provinces,
even of Tyrus and Sidon." [Esdras ii. 12.]
Sahagun the Spanish historian, who lived nearly
sixty years with the Mexicans, and wrote about fifteen
years after the Conquest by Cortez (1520) relates, that,
from their traditional history, handed down from remote
antiquity,—the Aborigines of the Country, first TOUCHED
at Florida,—then COASTED along, until they reached
the Bay of Honduras,—and they then LANDED.
It will be observed that the terms "touched"
"coasted" and "landed" are phrases belonging exclusively
to Navigation,—this confirms the reply of Montezuma,
that his ancestors originally came FROM the
East, for by Navigation only could they come from
that quarter,—and as a consequence they sailed towards
the West, and across the Atlantic Ocean!
The tradition of having "first touched at Florida,"
is as remarkable, as the means of Nature whereby it
was accomplished, which will be investigated and established
in the last pages of this Volume.
Cortez wished to sail around the Bay of Honduras,
the Point of Yucatan, and thence into the Gulph of
Mexico,—and inquired if there were descriptions of
those coasts. Montezuma instantly presented to the
Spaniard Maps and Charts of the entire Coast, and
from these, Cortez steered, and sailed in his perilous
voyage around Honduras, and by the correctness of the
Charts, he accomplished his expedition in safety. This
account he wrote home to his Emperor and Master,
Charles the Fifth,—it is consequently history:—no argument
is, therefore, required to prove their Knowledge,
and that of their ancestors in the Science of Navigation;—and
what people in the Asiatic world were
such "pilots and mariners" as the ancient Tyrians? If
the Mexican Aborigines had sprung from a race (like
the Israelites of the North) having no knowledge of
navigation, it would have been impossible to have had
Maps and Charts from their remote ancestors, and to
have continued the scientific practice of that knowledge
among themselves.
This is another strong proof of the two races of Aborigines
on the Western Continent; and of the different
means whereby their migrations were accomplished.
Sahagun, also, relates that from testimony of tradition,
and their historical Paintings, that their ancestors,
as a Colony—arrived on the American coast (first
touching at Florida) before the Christian Æra! It
should be observed that this account by the Spaniard
was written over three hundred years ago,—it was then
laughed at,—but the time was computed both by the
Aborigines and Sahagun,—the former, as well as the
latter, had a knowledge of the Christian Æra, as will be
proved in the third volume,—That knowledge was conveyed
to them after the arrival of the colony;—and
nearly fifteen centuries before the conquest by Cortez!
The Ruins in Ancient America, together with relative
facts, prove that Sahagun's account in regard to
time is correct; and that their original ancestors did
arrive before the Christian Æra. The same Historian
says, that from their historical traditions, the Mexican
Aborigines were originally a Colony;—which term may
be received as explanatory of their small number, and
that only,—for had they been "a Colony" according to
the modern and general acceptation of the word, there
would have been some Mother-land to claim her foreign
Children,—but, none appears upon the Books of
History.
They then arrived "before the Christian Æra,"—this
then places them in a positive position,—for the Nation
from whence they came, must have existed before that
sacred period,—and the Nation (as a people) must
have had knowledge of, and the means of Navigation,
since it is already established that they arrived in that
manner. The "mind's eye" must instantly glance at
the Tyrians, as the people having those means, and
being in existence anterior to the Christian Æra. The
Tyrians did compose that "colony,"—not sent forth from
their own land by care and affection; but, driven
forth (as we will prove) by terror and despair!—They
were the "pilots and mariners," and the "merchant
princes" of the desperate hazard:—their knowledge and
skill in navigation, were the champions daring the united
powers of Neptune and Boreas, and upon a Naumachian
arena, where a prow had never cut through a liquid
track: Neptune permitted the refugees to pass on to
freedom,—for the Ocean-God remains now, as when he
first received from Creation upon his broad breast, the
panoply of Light,—scarless:—and for all the wild wars
of Elements and Man upon that panoply,—the lightning's
rapid shafts,—the iron-tempest from earth's artillery,—still
that bright armour—reflecting Heaven on its surface—retains
no impress from the fierce battery of the
Storm-cloud, or from Man's weaker power, or ambition!
ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE, AND PAINTINGS—THE PYRAMIDS OF
EGYPT AND AMERICA—THE ANCIENT TYRIAN DYE—THE TEMPLES
OF JERUSALEM AND PALENQUE, &c.
The Architecture and Sculpture of the Ruins, in
order to support this Epoch, must possess an undeniable
existence, and founded upon data, and strong analogy,
of having a character traceable centuries before the
Christian Æra. Four Sciences are required to be possessed
by the original nation,—viz., Architecture, Sculpture,
Painting, and Navigation. If we view for these
purposes Hindoostan, China, and Japan, the characteristics
of the first-named Sciences are totally different,
while the latter is wanting to the extent necessary.
Rome and Greece would present the marine power,
but the Architecture of those countries would claim no
affinity with that in America; for at Copan, Palenque,
and Uxmal, and all the Ruins, the Arch and Pediment
are wanting. Egypt claims at once the general character
of the Architecture, but not sufficient to establish
that it is strictly of a National order, as practised on the
borders of the Nile;—but, enough is shewn to prove,
that a People built those cities in America, who had a
knowledge of Egyptian architecture. If Egypt itself
had sent the "colony,"—(but from the want of the
means of Navigation it was impossible, and also a
record would have been found in Herodotus or Diodorus,
who wrote of that country about 484, and 44
B. C.:—if it had taken place prior to those periods, their
accuracy would have compelled them to notice it)—if,
we say, Egypt had sent a "colony," the Temples would
have been built like her own in every particular.—Pronaos,
Sphinx, and other characteristics,—but these
do not appear, or the slightest indication of them;—yet,
where the pyramidal structure and obelisk
(square-column sculptured) and circular columns are to
be found, there Egypt may be traced as having given
knowledge to the builders. The Pyramid of Caius
Cestius at Rome will illustrate this fact. No one will
say that that Pyramid is Roman architecture,—yet no
one will deny that the builder had a knowledge of
Egypt and her works,—and no Historian would claim
Rome to be Egypt, because a Pyramid was found there;
so in Mexican America, the Ruins partake of the Egyptian
character sufficiently to give the style of the Architectural
foundations to that of the Nile,—yet they must
have been erected by another Nation;—yet that Nation
must be proved to have a knowledge of, and intercourse
with, Egypt. What nation of all the earth enjoyed
this equal to the Tyrian? They were in weekly intercourse
with each other,—exchanging as men their sentiments,
and as merchants their merchandise, till one
general conquest overwhelmed both countries,—one
nation remaining subdued and tributary, and the other
dispersed and annihilated.
It is proved (we submit) that the Sculpture in
many parts, and especially at Uxmal, partakes of the
Grecian character, while the Architecture is that of
the Egyptian. This is a nice distinction,—but it
enables us to strengthen our belief that Egypt, as a
Nation, could not have been the builders, but they
must have been a People (we repeat it, to impress it
on the mind of the reader) having a knowledge of the
Nile and her edifices; to this may be joined, a People
having a knowledge, also, of the Greeks, since the
Sculpture at Uxmal is Grecian in design. The Tyrians
possessed this intercourse;—but, it is possible that
some few Greeks may have been of the Colony landing
on "the American coast" before the Christian Æra,—that
they may have gladly embraced the occasion, as
the only means of escaping death at the fearful event
which caused the Migration. From the same cause a
few Egyptians may have escaped, and joined the
colony in the same manner. The strangers on the Island
of Tyrus, would probably be those who had arrived by
water from a distance,—Egypt was one port of commerce,
Ægina another, and ambitious of maritime fame.
Ægina is selected for more than one reason. It was
an Island in direct intercourse with Tyrus, and the
Ægineans were renowned for their general knowledge
of the art of ornamental Sculpture, but not on so grand
a scale as that of Athens. The Ægineans were called
myrmidons, or emmets, from their patient perseverance
in the art of Agriculture and other employments,—and
thence the Tortoise became their National emblem, the
slow but sure progress of that shellfish being a symbol
of their industry; it formed a double emblem;
viz., of their industry and marine character. Now it
will be remembered that the Ruins of Uxmal display
four Tortoises in stone Sculpture,—and one was found
detached, and buried in the Ruins of Copan.
Ægina was the first nation that coined Money, and
issued Medals,—Athens often applied to Ægina for the
execution of both. The Chief Symbol on the Coin of
Ægina was the Tortoise, for the reasons stated above:—now,
in Mexican America, an ancient coin, or medal,
has been found with the Symbol of the Tortoise on it!
It may have been buried by a citizen of Ægina (one
of the Colony), or by a Tyrian who possessed a coin of
the Island-rival,—but most probably the first proposition
is correct—viz., that it was possessed by a native
of Ægina,—for at Uxmal the Tortoise is there in
Sculpture, and the entire façades, interior and exterior,
are filled with ornaments à la Grecque antique,—and
especially that of the running square, or meander border,—while
the buildings themselves bear no analogy
to those of Attica;—thus proving almost to demonstration,
that Grecian Artists were authors of the Sculpture,
Tyrians the Architects of the entire edifices,—while
those of Egypt were authors of the Architectural
bases. The reader may think that this is the refinement
of investigation,—but, it is such as truth and perseverance
have authorized, and the historic importance
of the subject demands.
The Tortoise is, also, the designation of the coins of
Thebes in Greece,—and from this fact, it is brought
home at once to the Tyrians, as a Symbol of their
country, as well as of Ægina,—and in all probability
(consulting data) Ægina copied it from the Theban
coin. The Phœnician Chief, Cadmus—(all ancient
Tyrian Chiefs were so called) founded Thebes, and is
well known to have introduced into Greece, the letters,
or Alphabet of his own country; and without doubt,
at the same time, he selected the Symbols of his Native
land, to represent the Coin of his new City. The Tortoise
is, therefore, a Tyrian emblem, and is found upon
the Ruins in Ancient America.
Cadmus founded Thebes 1493 B. C., and was consequently
contemporary with the first Lawgiver. Euripides
in his Drama of the "Phœnician Virgins" thus
alludes to his arrival, as uttered by Jocasta:
"Resplendent Sun
How inauspicious didst thou dart thy beams
That day on Thebes, when from the sea-wash'd coast
Of fair Phœnicia Cadmus on this land
Set his ill-omen'd foot!"
We have suggested that Grecians [i. e. of Ægina]
may have been the authors of the Sculpture, and
Egyptians of the Architectural bases of the edifices,
because their respective styles are traceable in the
Ruins of Palenque, Uxmal, and Copan. This suggestion
is founded upon the possibility (and even probability)
of natives of those nations being at Tyrus, at the
time of the departure of the Tyrians:—yet, it does not
follow, as a necessity, that all the Architects, Builders,
and Sculptors must have been of those nations;—for
although there does not exist in Asia or Africa any
Phœnician Architecture, whereby a comparison can
be made, yet there does exist the undying record that
the Tyrians were builders and Sculptors from their
own practice, and that fact is founded upon the authority
of Scripture:
"And Hiram, King of Tyre sent messengers to David,—and
cedar trees,—and carpenters and masons,—and
they built David a house"—i. e. Palace. [2 Samuel
v. 2.]
Here then is a distinct and undeniable record of the
Tyrians being, not only carpenters (their Shipbuilding
proves that) but Masons,—and which in the original
Hebrew text is defined to be "hewers of the stone of
the wall;" and consequently they were Sculptors, as
well as Architects. Their building and adorning of
Solomon's Temple (as will be shewn in the History of
Tyrus) are additional facts, with the building of the
Palace of David, to put at rest any suspicion, or question,
whether the Tyrians themselves, unassisted by
others, could have built and Sculptured those edifices
in America. The Israelites had no practical knowledge
of Architecture until ages after the building
(by the Tyrians) of Solomon's Temple. 1015 B. C.
The above quotation from Sacred History refers to
the year 1043 B. C., and consequently centuries before
the time contemplated by this Epoch,—viz., B. C. 332.
Skilful knowledge, possessed, and existing for ages
before, by any nation, and upon any subject, would
naturally be improved upon and practised by descendants:—they
would also improve upon the Architecture
of any other nation with whom they had association
and communion,—and as Tyrus, as a People,
of all the ancient nations was a practical one, they
produced in America an improvement (and a great
one) upon the Architecture of the Egyptians. This
fact of improvement, and alteration of the original
order of Egypt, is another proof that the builders were
not essentially of that nation; but,—from a country
having a practical skill, and minds daring enough to
innovate upon any precedent, when improvement would
be the result.—That Nation was Tyrus.
We do not desire to advance one assertion, not capable
of being defended, and consequently will establish
that an improvement upon the Architecture of Egypt
does exist in the Ruined cities of Ancient America.
The first idea in building had its origin (without
doubt) from the Caverns of Nature, where Man would
be protected from the raging tempest:—and, from being
shadowed from the beams of Apollo by the spreading
branches of the forest, he must have soon felt the necessity
of converting the latter into more commodious
forms than those in which Nature had left them. To
huts made of trees and branches, festooned together by
their own foliage, succeeded more convenient habitations,
composed of upright and cross beams, the apertures
closed with leaves and moistened earth. From
these humble pillars of the forest, were derived those
beautiful Columns composing the five received orders of
Architecture. That of Egypt is not admitted into the
Classic group.
The interior of a cavern with the walls rising pyramidally,
gave the natural instruction for the formation
of a Tent,—poles rising from a broad base to a centre,—or
of a single one, with the canvass outstretched by
cords and fastened to the stakes driven in the earth;—such
were the Tents of Israel,—those of the Aborigines
of North America, and of the wandering Gipsy, in
the erection of their culinary edifice even to this day.
The Pyramids of Egypt are but majestic examples of
the same principle of construction,—viz., the corners
and sides of a broad base rising on an inclined plane,
until they meet and form an apex over a common
centre. This construction has given them that defiance
against the whirlwinds and sands for which they are so
conspicuous. Water,—that "sore decayer of dead
bodies,"—be they of "flesh," wood, or stone, can have
no effect in Egypt; for there the rains do not fall,
and consequently moisture cannot exert her gradual
but certain power;—in Ancient America this safeguard
to edifices is not granted by Nature,—but yet the principle
of the Pyramid has given duration, and proved
the existence of Nations in the Western Hemisphere,
traceable to centuries before Egypt mourned a Cleopatra,
who, as the living emblem of her death, became
the venomed and fatal Serpent of her Country!
The Pyramids of Egypt (symbols of self-vanity) rise
from a broad base to an unsupporting, useless, and idle
apex:—in Mexican America the lowest portion of the
base is retained, and that only; and upon this simple,
but lasting foundation, are erected the perpendicular
walls of her sacred Temples,—Sculptured stone forming
the façades of the gorgeous edifices! The point
of grandeur of design, is far beyond the useless masses of
the Nile; for there can exist no grandeur of design
without the association of utility,—physical or mental.
The radiant Sun itself would cease to be Sublime, were
it in design, or in its powers, to be devoid of its
manifold, and creative blessings! The Architect of the
Universe in forming the "image of Himself," and in
assigning to it the functions of physical power, so
organized them,—and the more subtle mechanism of
the brain,—that they should illustrate, that all action
and thought (apart from Religious duty) should be
directed towards utility and excellence!
The fact of improving upon the pyramidal Architecture
of Egypt, supports the apparent fact that Tyrians
alone were the builders of the edifices now under consideration;
for (apart from the perpendicular river-wall,
which is identical with the sea-wall of ancient
Tyrus) a new and distinct order, or style of Architecture,
is visible in those Temples, traceable from the
base to the Cornice or summit,—and from the compound
character, believe that we have correctly termed it
Egypto-Tyrian.
We will advance another reason for believing that
Copan was the first City built in Mexican America,—viz.,
the square column (or obelisk) only, is found
there,—while in other ruins, excepting Palenque, the
circular is perceptible,—the latter are found at Mitla
and Uxmal,—thus establishing (almost conclusively)
that those cities were of later erection,—for the square
column is easier in formation than the circular,—and the
latter is produced from the former,—and consequently
two columns are made in producing the circular shaft.
The square is, also, better adapted, from its facial character,
for the purposes of Sculpture; as illustrated in
the Idol-obelisks at Copan,—and that which would be
the simplest in construction, and giving the greatest
facility for its peculiar adaptation, would naturally be
selected by a People for their first Temple:—yet,
reserving to themselves for practice at a future day,
the knowledge possessed in the more refined branches
of the Art:—they subsequently illustrated that superior
knowledge at Palenque and Uxmal. In the conclusion
of this section, however, it will be shewn that
the square style of Architecture was essentially Tyrian,
and that it is distinctly visible at Copan and Palenque.
An analogy in regard to antiquity is found from the
stuccoing or plaistering of the walls. This custom in
Art is one of the most ancient on record. Mr. Stephens
would infer from the fact of stuccoing that they had a
modern origin, and actually calls it in one place—"plaister
of Paris!" The custom is mentioned by the first
Lawgiver 1451 YEARS before the Christian Æra!
"And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over
Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth
thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and
plaister them with plaister: and thou shalt WRITE upon
them all the words of this law." [Deut. xxvii. 2, 3.]
Here is not only the proof of the ancient custom of
stuccoing, or hard plaistering;—but, also, the fact of
Sculpture, or writing upon Stucco,—of course in its
damp state, and when dry it became, as at Palenque,
"as hard as stone." Again,—It, also, covered the
interior of the palatial walls of Babylon, and was the
surface upon which was traced the handwriting at
Belshazzar's Feast,—this was 538 B. C.
"In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's
hand, and wrote over against the candlestick,—upon
the plaister of the wall of the King's palace." [Dan.
v. 5.]
Another analogy is found upon this point of art, as
being used by both the ancient Tyrians and the Aborigines;—for
the walls of Tyrus were built of large
blocks of stone—not very hard—but protected from
the weather by hard white-plaister,—or stucco;—the
walls of Palenque seem to be a direct imitation.
It was a custom of the ancient nations to paint their
statues, or figures on the walls, with the primitive
colours,—but chiefly red or vermilion. In so doing
they believed that they approached the colour of the
Gods,—and in Rome, from the same feeling, a Conqueror
granted the honour of a triumphal entry to the
Capital, was always painted red, in supposed imitation
of the God of War.
It is recorded in Scripture as being practised by
the Chaldeans, and as a consequence by their associates
the Babylonians.
"For when she saw men pourtrayed on the wall,—the
images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,
&c." [Eze. xxiii. 14.]
It was, also, practised by the Egyptians and Tyrians,—and
is now discovered in America:—for Mr. Stephens
states that the sculpture, and even the steps, had
been painted,—that black and white,—red, blue, and
yellow are distinctly visible, but that the Red (vermilion)
is predominant. From the number of colours
another analogy is traceable, for of all the ancient
nations that of Tyrus was the most renowned for her
knowledge of colours,—and when to the "primitive
three," she added by her discovery the celebrated tint,
or Tyrian Dye, her renown was increased, and spread
throughout all the Nations,—so much so, that they sent
their royal mantles to Tyrus to receive the costly dye—and
from that fact, regal robes have continued to be
tinted, even to this day, with the gorgeous Purple,—which,
though originally intended for blood-stained
Kings and warriors,—succeeding ages have placed
upon even the graceful forms of dove-eyed Queens; (so
strong is custom)—while the first and Heavenly colour—blue,—and
which from Scripture was the tint of
Aaron's Robes of Peace,—has passed unheeded by,
although commanded by The voice of The King of
Kings.
"And thou shalt make the robe of the Ephod all of
blue." [Ex. xxviii. 31.]
The exact tint of the Tyrian Dye is not known, other
than it was purple.—There are several degrees of
purple,—light or dark,—as the blue shall predominate
in its mixture with the Red. The original dye was
derived from a shellfish (purple murex) as before related;—and
upon the occasion of its being discovered,
the Tyrian thought that his dog had been wounded in
the mouth, for he imagined that his faithful follower
was bleeding:—here then the tint is arrived at,—viz.,
that it must have resembled that of blood,—consequently
it was the light purple, or rather crimson as it
is now termed,—therefore, the Red predominated over
the Blue.
The Prophet of the Advent defines that in ancient
days (760 B. C.) scarlet, red, and crimson were esteemed
the same,—they are with us only different in degree,—but
the two last are proved by Scripture to have been
identical.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the
Lord, though your sins be as SCARLET, they shall be
as white as snow: though they be RED LIKE CRIMSON,
they shall be as wool." (i. e. white as snow.) [Isaiah
i. 18.] The latter part of the verse is but a repetition
of the former,—a favourite style in Holy-Writ, to enforce
the precepts upon the mind of the reader or hearer.
Now the more ancient of the Ruins in Mexican America,
are stained or painted Red:—the Traveller, however,
does not express the degree of Red,—light or
dark,—or whether it contained any other colour with
it;—it is enough that Red is distinctly stated:—and
may not the Aborigines have dyed their sculpture in
remembrance of their past celebrity at Tyrus? If at
Copan (their first city) they had mixed Blue with
Red to produce the blood-purple, the lapse of centuries
would have extracted the minor colour—blue,—(minor
from its proportion in mixture),—and have left the
major colour,—Red,—entire,—as it now appears upon
the Idols, Altars, and steps of these Egypto-Tyrian monuments
in Ancient America. Again; the knowledge
of colours by the Tyrians, (and those in which they
excelled)—is distinctly stated in the Bible. Solomon
in sending to Hiram, King of Tyrus (1015 B. C.) for
Artists to build and adorn the Temple of Jerusalem,—says—
"Send me now, therefore, a man cunning to work
in gold and in silver, and in brass and in iron,—and in
purple, and crimson, and blue, &c." [2 Chronicles
ii. 7.] "Blue" is directly expressed, and by its mixture
with "Crimson" (i. e. Red.—Vide Isaiah i. 18.)
in certain proportions would produce "Purple."—Now
in Mexican America we have seen, that Blue and Red
(and perhaps originally a Purple), are found, and used
by the Aborigines to adorn their first Temple at Copan,
as Solomon did his Temple at Jerusalem,—through
the skill and knowledge of the Tyrians!—who without
doubt practised their art in colours upon their own
Temples at Tyrus,—and which Solomon, in compliment
to Hiram (with whom he was in the strictest
bonds of amity), was willing to, and did, imitate, in the
Capital of Israel.
Had the Tyrians possessed no knowledge of Colours,
the discovery of them upon the Mexican Ruins would
have been useless in reference to any analogy, and injurious
against identity;—but, the Tyrians having the
knowledge of the three primitives, and of a fourth colour,
and had they not been discovered at Copan or Palenque,
then the want of a similitude would be evident and
material;—but, as both People,—the Tyrians and the
Aborigines,—possessed the same knowledge, and practice
of colouring their Temples,—the Analogy is not
only apparent, but absolute.
It will be remembered by the reader, that in the
Sepulchral Chamber at Copan, an Engraved Gem was
found,—"a small death's-head (skull) CARVED in fine
green stone." The antiquity of this style of engraving
has been shewn in alluding to Aaron's "breastplate of
judgment,"—but, we will now prove that another Tyrian
analogy is found in the carved Gem of Copan,—That
the Tyrians were engravers of Gem-stones is established
upon the authority of Scriptural history,—and
from that Sacred Volume it is, also, proved, that the
Tyrians were the builders of Solomon's Temple.—This
will be enlarged upon in the history of Tyrus.—Solomon
wrote to Hiram for a superior artist, in addition
to the general workmen, "to work in gold, and
in silver, &c.—and that can skill to grave,"—the Hebrew
text is, "to grave gravings,"—or in modern phrase—to
engrave,—i. e. cut, or carve metal or stones. The
King of Tyrus answered,—
"And now I have sent a cunning (i. e. skilful) man;
[of the same name as the King, i. e. Hiram] * * *
"skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron,
in stone;—also, to grave any manner of graving." [2
Chron. ii. 13, 14.] That Solomon availed himself of
the skill of this Artist in Gem-engraving is proved by
the following verse:
"And he garnished the house [i. e. Temple] with
precious stones for beauty." [i. e. of workmanship.]
[2 Chron. iii. 6.]
We shall conclude this Section with an analogy that
may appear strange to the general reader, but it is no less
true than original, and from which, Identity is apparent.
The Wisdom of Solomon (and inferentially his people
also) did not embrace the practical Sciences of Architecture,
Sculpture, or Navigation. He was compelled
to apply for all these to the Tyrian Monarch. Solomon's
wisdom was of the philosophy of Nature, and
not in the defined Arts or Sciences.—This is shewn in
the first Book of Kings [ch. iv. 32, 33.]
"And he (Solomon) spake three thousand Proverbs,
and his Songs were a thousand and five. And he spake
of trees,—from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon, even
unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake
also, of beasts,—and of fowl,—and of creeping things,—and
of fishes." Five centuries before Solomon,—the
Hebrew artists,—Bezaleel and Aholiab,—were
called by The Almighty, and presented to Moses for a
special purpose. [Vide Exodus xxxv. 30—35.]
The Tyrians were the Architects and Sculptors of
the Temple of Solomon, and in the description of that
Edifice it will be found that the square,—or four-sided,—columns
and bases prevailed, to the exclusion of
the circular,—even the door-posts of the Temple were
square:—the same are seen at Palenque!
"So also made he for the door of the Temple posts
of olive trees,—a fourth part of the wall,"—[1 Kings
vi. 33]—defined to be—"four-square."
The two brazen Pillars of the Porch of the Temple
were square,—and about five feet six inches on each
side,—(what are the Pillars at Copan?)—and the capitals
covered with carved "nets of checker work" and
"wreaths of chain-work,"—upon these were suspended
"two rows of pomegranates."
The celebrated "bases" were distinctly square,—and
about seven feet on each side.
"And he (the Tyrian Artist) made ten bases of
brass,—four cubits (21 inches and a fraction each cubit,
Scripture measure,) was the length of one base, and
four cubits the breadth thereof" [this is a perfect
square]. "And there were four undersetters to the four
corners of one base,"—"And also upon the mouth of
it (the laver) were gravings with their borders, four-square,
not round."—"And after this manner he made
the ten bases [i. e. square columns]: all of them had
one casting [Hebrew: "fashioning"], one measure and
one size." [1 Kings, ch. vii.]
Now the square style of Architecture in Solomon's
Temple may distinctly be claimed as Tyrian Architecture—for
the Tyrians were the Architects, Sculptors,
and Builders, directed by Hiram the Artist,—and
it is self-evident, since they were so, that they followed
that style generally adopted in their own country;—here
then is a direct proof of the Tyrian Architecture
being in Ancient America,—for the reader will instantly
recognise that the Square-columns form the "door-posts"
also at Palenque,—and that the Idol-Obelisks at
Copan are "four-square, not round" and covered with
"gravings"—(i. e. Sculptures). The superficial measure
of the "square piers,"—or columns at Palenque,
does not vary in a great degree from the square Porch-columns
and bases at Jerusalem,—while the Hebrew
"pomegranates" at the latter Capital, were varied,—yet
the florid style of Tyrian Sculpture imitated in the
"compositions of leaves and flowers" at Uxmal.
It is not necessary to prove that the measurement
of the Temple on Mount Moriah, and that at Palenque,
are identical, in order to establish the analogy now
under consideration, because local applications of their
respective dimensions would create essential variations.
In the previous reign (that of David) King Hiram
sent his Tyrian Architects to Jerusalem, and built a
Palace for the Monarch of Israel,—and in the reign of
Solomon, (who resolved to erect the Temple) the same
King of Tyrus was applied to for artists to build the
great Mansion of Religion,—Solomon did not command
how it should be built,—or in what order or style of
Architecture;—that he left to the Tyrians, who were
practical artists,—THEY gave HIM the design, upon his
expressing to the Chief Architect the "wants" of the
edifice.
"Now these are the things wherein Solomon was
instructed for the building of the house of God," &c.
[2 Chron. iii. 3.]
We have expressed in the previous pages, that no
Tyrian Ruins in Asia or Africa are found, whereby
the style of that Nation's Architecture could be identified,—none
exist in Sidon, Tyrus, or Carthage;—but,
the never-decaying Volume of Religion, contains a
living picture of Tyrian art and style at Jerusalem, that
never can be in Ruins:—though the identifying marbles
of Phœnician architecture,—like the first stone-tablets
of the Decalogue,—are broken and lost "beneath the
Mount" of Time,—yet upon the page of Holy-Writ do
they both appear as new,—as perfect,—as when first
erected by Tyrians for the Son of David,—or traced by
the finger of God for the instruction, and civilization
of mankind!
The Temple of Solomon, upon the authority of the
Bible, was of Tyrian Architecture, (for the Israelites,
we repeat it, had no knowledge of the Arts at that time,)
built and adorned by the Tyrians,—the same Architecture
is found in the Ruins of Ancient America, and
consequently Tyrian,—while the substructure being a
portion of a Pyramid, justly authorizes (we submit)
the new term of Egypto-Tyrian.
We cannot dismiss this interesting discovery of an
analogy between the Architecture of the Temples of
Jerusalem, Palenque, and Copan,—thus proving the
two latter to be Tyrian,—without the remark,—that if
no other similitude could be found in this volume in
order to identify the Mexican Aborigines as Tyrians,
we think that the analogy of the Temples alone, would
satisfy the reader upon that point; as also, that this
History has not been written without that due regard
to testimony, and undeniable evidence, demanded by
the importance of the subject;—and which, being novel
and surprising, requires more than usual proof to convince
the mind, that it is analyzing a proposition of
truth, and not one of sophistry.
The ignorance of the Israelites in reference to the
practical arts will be enlarged upon in the next volume.[8]
Having stopped the Press to insert these remarks upon Mr. Stephens's
second visit to Yucatan, we cannot refrain from offering a few
observations upon a paragraph by one of the most learned and accomplished
Reviewers of the present day,[9]—and one who has the distinguished
honour of having first brought the Ruins of Ancient America
to the general notice of Europe, through the medium of his talented
periodical. In reviewing[10] Mr. Stephens's volumes upon "Incidents
of Travel in Yucatan," (2d Visit,)—the Editor writes as follows:—
"The difference in declension between Central and North America
offers a problem worthy of philosophical consideration. In the former
case, the Mexican Indian, notwithstanding massacres of merciless
atrocity, has been allowed to remain, albeit scattered on the soil of
his ancestors, and to enter into a combination (i. e. Marriage) whence
another race of mankind has sprung: in the latter [the Northern]
the white invader (Anglo-Saxon) has chased him from his native
possessions and driven him to limits, where utter extermination seems
to be his doom. The comparison could hardly be made without indicating
a conclusion highly favourable to the iron-clad Spaniards of
what we choose to call an ignorant and a barbarous age (1520), and
against the more modern offspring (1620) of our country and enlightened
times. Though the thirst of gold was the same in both
instances, it does appear, and it is melancholy to reflect upon it, that
something of nobler impulses belonged to the elder (or Spanish)
æra."
We have quoted the entire paragraph to which attention is desired,
and shall now review the several parts,—and trust in a few remarks
to remove the unintentional stain upon the Anglo-Saxon race, which
the above extract has placed upon them:—as also, affording an additional
opportunity of supporting our previous assertions, that the
Aborigines were two distinct People.
"The difference in declension [i. e. of the existing Aboriginal population]
between Central and North America offers a problem worthy
of philosophical consideration." We had already solved this problem
in the first pages of this volume, before the above was brought to our
observation. The solution is founded upon historic truth,—viz., that
the Aborigines of the North will not intermarry, or cohabit, with any
race but their own,—they have a Religious abhorrence even at the
supposition of such a sacrilege,—for in their minds it is one. This
principle of the House of Israel is even followed in European Society
by the Jewish family,—and that after ages of intercourse with the
Christian. It seems impossible to eradicate the prejudice with the
Aborigines of the North,—and this has been one of the greatest barriers
to the propagation of the Christian Religion among them. As
a most convincing proof of the above, we offer an historic fact not
generally known even in America, and certainly not in Europe,—but
it is given upon the authority of the late President of the United
States,—General Harrison,—and it is, therefore, unimpeachable. In
writing the forthcoming Life and History of that distinguished Patriot,
it came under our observation during the required researches,—and
is found in a document of his as late in date as 1838,—viz., At the
commencement of the American Revolution in 1775,—the government
of Great Britain (through the influence of her traders), engaged all
the North-western Aborigines in her cause, for the purpose of laying
waste the frontiers. The Continental Congress, most anxious to destroy
this junction and impending calamity,—sent delegates to convince
them that they were not a party to the quarrel, and therefore
should be neutral. The application met with no success, for the Aborigines
viewed the Colonists as their enemies and invaders,—because
they were the actual possessors and occupiers of the land and homes of
their ancestors. The Congress knowing that from the time of the
Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, (1620) the Aborigines would never associate
as a community with the Anglo-Saxon race—by the great
family bond of Intermarriage;—the Congress then had recourse to
the following novel proposition,—and it was actually embodied in a
treaty concluded with the Delaware Tribes in 1778,—viz., That the
Aborigines of the North, by remaining neutral in the War,—should
be consolidated into a State by themselves, and upon the achievement
of National Independence, should be incorporated into the Republic of
the United States! The following are President Harrison's words,—viz.,
"Nothing can shew the anxiety of Congress to effect this object
in stronger colours, than the agreement entered into with the Delaware
Tribes, at a treaty concluded at Pittsburgh in 1778. By an
article in that Treaty, the United-States proposed that a State should
be formed, to be composed of the Delawares and the other Tribes of
the North,—and contracted to admit them, when so formed,—as one
of the members of the Union."—[Historical Discourse, Ohio, 1838.]
The above fact of History certainly proves the anxiety of the Congress,
not only to avoid their enmity, but to provide at a future day
for their continuance as a People, and not their "extermination."
The same policy of the United-States has now placed all the Tribes
on the West of the Mississippi,—(for they would form no community
founded upon intermarriage), and there to be protected by the Government
of the United-States against all invaders. In vain shall we
search the Spanish Annals for an instance (in their Mexican Conquests,)
of humanity like these acts of American commiseration
and Christian policy.
In the second sentence of the paragraph quoted from the Literary
Gazette, the Editor has given the identical cause why the Mexican
Aborigines are still found upon their lands,—not as owners, but
as Slaves,—viz., that they did intermarry—("enter into a combination,"
&c.)—thence the two races are apparent upon
the strongest ground of argument,—viz., Religious principles,—and
which, with all Aborigines are the guides to their actions. Therefore,
the Editor by his remarks upon the Mexican race, actually solved,
though unconsciously, the problem proposed in his first sentence.
In forming a "comparison" between the Spanish invasion by Cortez,
in 1520, and the landing of the Pilgrim-Fathers in 1620, any writer
must fail,—for without similitude there can be no comparison;—contrast
is the word, and never in the history of nations was there a
greater contrast than between the Spanish and Anglo-Saxon races, in
their motive in landing in Mexico and in New-England: but the
Editor has written "Though the thirst of Gold was the same in
BOTH instances, it does appear, and it is melancholy to reflect upon it,
that something of nobler impulses belonged to the elder (or Spanish)
æra!" Cortez and Pizarro, and their bands of pirates, were alone
possessed with an unquenchable "thirst of gold,"—it was "the god
of their idolatry,"—even the humane Columbus could only hold his
power with the Spanish Government by sending home the precious
metal,—and when it failed, so declined his influence; and it at last
compelled him to have recourse to making Slaves of the natives of
Hispaniola,—and each had allotted to him a task of bringing a small
bell full of gold from the mountains, and if they failed, stripes were
their punishment; and of all the natives, not one acre of land was purchased,
or even attempted. The Spaniards found, as we will prove,
branches of Christianity!—and yet with the Crucifix in one hand, and
the brand or dagger in their other,—they sacrificed eleven millions of
human beings to their unhallowed invasions, lust, and thirst for gold:—but
were the English so possessed when in the depth of dreary winter
they braved the dangers of the broad Atlantic?—What drove that
band of Pilgrim-Fathers forth to seek an unknown wilderness for a
home and shelter? Was it gold?—would they have dealt with
money-changers in the Temple?—No!—One thought alone throbbed
within their hearts,—viz., To worship their God and Saviour
according to the solemn dictates of their conscience! They
were Englishmen, and the first promulgators of Religious and
Civil freedom in the Western Hemisphere.—Upon their landing
did they enslave the Natives for gold-finders?—No!—They
offered the hand of amity,—and in it they gave gold for acres,
and obtained the land by fair and honourable purchase. Entering
upon their pilgrimage upon the principle only of Religious
freedom,—the Northern-native has been ever permitted to enjoy the
same; and not a record of that land will prove, that the English ever
sacrificed a human being upon the ground of Religious belief or disbelief.
It is the very principle of the Contrast between the Spanish
conquest and the English landing on the Western Continent, that has
made the essential difference, even to this day, in the stability of the
Governments of the two European races, Spanish and Anglo-Saxon.
The former was based upon injustice, lust, and avarice,—thence can be
traced the eventual downfall of the Spanish principles in South America;
but the latter was Freedom-founded, and based upon laws, virtue,
equity,—and thence, as a consequence, the Anglo-Saxon family still
remain firm and secure. Their House being built upon a Rock, and
daring,—like the Parent-Country,—the wild elements of tyranny
even to approach the foundation, they fear no "comparison" with a
blood-stained Mansion erected upon the Sands; and which the waves
of Time have so far swept from view, that even the false proportions
would have been lost, had not History placed them in her archives as
a warning to posterity! Apology, we trust, is not required for this
almost digressive note;—the just defence of the character of England
and the United-States has been our only motive;—and that being
our rule of action through life, either in public or private, we could
not avoid it. G. J.
MUMMIES OF EGYPT, TENERIFFE, AND PERU, &c.
In the previous Sections of this important chapter,
the customs and analogies of the living have been reviewed
and compared,—those now to be investigated
have relation to the dead.
In all countries the peculiar customs observed at the
interment of the dead, have a distinct, and a National
character:—those customs proclaim the people of a
nation with as much certainty, as the Ruins of the
Parthenon speak of Athens and the Athenians.
At the present day "the ashes of the dead" is a
strong, and a poetic phrase, and used even by Christian
writers,—whereas it is strictly heathen in its application:—"dust
to dust" is essentially Christian, and
the sentence belongs to, and identifies the modern European
family;—while,—"ashes of the dead,"—indicating
thereby, fire as the consuming quality,—points
to India, Rome, and many ancient Nations as authors
of the pyro-ceremony.
Pompey's decapitated body, though thrown upon the
shore of Egypt, was consumed to "ashes" by the humble
but honest follower of Cæsar's Master, that the sepulchral
custom of ancient Italy should be accomplished
upon, and by, a Son of Rome. The self-immolation of
the widow upon the funeral pyre of her departed husband,
points to the nation following that inhuman custom
to be Hindoostan;—while the embalmed Mummies
with their Sarcophagi, direct the antiquarian mind to
Egypt, with as much certainty, as her "starry-pointing
Pyramids," or her Sphinx-guarded Temples. Upon this
accredited conclusion of the identity of nations, from
the manner of disposing of their dead, will be claimed
authority to establish a strong argument and analogy in
support of the present subject,—and founded upon the
fac-simile resemblance between the ancient Mummies
of the Canary Islands, and those in Mexican America.
The general reader may not be aware that Mummies
have been found in any other nation than Egypt;—they
have, however, been discovered (but without the Sarcophagi)
at Arico, in the Island of Teneriffe, and at
Arica in Peru,—a similitude is discernible even in the
local name given to the districts where the Mummy-pits
are found. An analogy is at once perceptible in analyzing
the ancient word Guanches (the Aborigines of
Teneriffe),—it is derived from Guan,—i. e. Man,—consequently
in his natural and uncontrolled state,—therefore
Freemen,—this fact is sanctioned by their
escape from thraldom or Slavery, when they first arrived
on the Island, as will be shewn in the Second
Book of this Volume. Again, in Ancient America, the
places where Mummies are found are called Guacas,—i. e.
the abode of Man in his decayed state. The
Reader will instantly perceive that in the construction
of the word, as used in both localities, there is a direct
similitude. The first land also rediscovered by Columbus
in the Western Hemisphere, was called by the natives—Guanahani,—the
Genoese named it St. Salvador.
The word "Teneriffe," in the original language of
the ancient inhabitants,—the Guanches,—signifies—White-Mountain,—(Thanar—mountain,—and
Iffe—white),—from
the celebrated Peak being (from its altitude)
always covered with snow.
In the singular burial-cavern of the Capuchin
Friars near Palermo, there are over 2000 dead bodies,—they
have erroneously been called "Mummies;"—for
the bodies are not in any manner embalmed, but
dried by a slow fire, (or furnace-oven) and then arranged
in groups around the subterranean galleries.
The word "mummy" was originally applied to a
drug so called; and it was probably used by the
Egyptians as one of their ingredients in embalming—or
preserving—the dead. The Bard of Avon evidently
so understood it,—viz., that it was a drug possessing a
preserving quality. Othello's description of his "first
gift" to Desdemona will explain.—
"That handkerchief did an Egyptian
To my mother give. * * * * *
The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk:
And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful
Conserved of maiden's hearts."
It may appear strange, at the first glance, that there
should be any connexion between the Mummies of
Teneriffe and those of Peru, towards establishing that
the Mexican Aborigines were originally Tyrians:—but
there is a connexion, and as certain, as that a chain of
three links owes its utility to the connecting power of
the central one. Teneriffe forms that central link between
Tyrus and the Western Continent.
The natural and apparent question then is,—Were
the Guanches (ancient Canarians) originally from the
Tyrian family?—this we distinctly answer in the
affirmative.
Mr. Pettigrew, in his valuable "History of Egyptian
Mummies," has the following remark upon those discovered
at Teneriffe.
"That the inhabitants of the Canary Islands should
have adopted a practice of embalming in some measure
similar to that of the Egyptian is rather singular,—seeing
they were separated from each other by the
entire breadth of Northern Africa." [p. 237.]
Now the above author assumes, as a necessity,—that
the ancient Guanches (Canarians) must have emigrated
by land,—otherwise the sentence "entire
breadth of Northern Africa" is uselessly brought forward
to express the barrier between the Islands and
Egypt. The emigration by land cannot be sustained,
but is absolutely rejected, from the fact, that the
Guanches must have had navigable means to have
reached the chief Islands even after they had arrived
upon the Shores of the Continent,—which are nearly
150 miles from Teneriffe. This fact then points to a nation
having acquaintance with Egypt, and the means
of Navigation,—and also of one "advanced in civilization,"
for such were the now extinct nation of the
Guanches, as related by Spanish historians. Truth
seems at once to point to the Tyrians as the Aborigines
of those Islands.
Mr. Pettigrew probably forgot that Herodotus has
recorded the celebrated Egypto-Tyrian expedition
around the Continent of Africa, and which occurred
609—606 years before Christ. It is apparent that the
Fortunatæ Insulæ,—as the Canary Islands were called
by the Ancients,—were discovered during the three
years voyage related by the Greek historian, for they
were known to the Tyrians centuries before the Christian
Æra. This celebrated expedition, and the proofs
of its being accomplished, will be investigated and
established in the pages devoted to the History of
Tyrus.
After the direful event which drove the Tyrians
for ever from the Mediterranean (which will be elucidated
hereafter), we believe that their first resting-place
was among the Canary Islands,—and as the Peak of
Teneriffe arose as a welcome beacon,—that Island became
to them the chief place of temporary residence
after their fortunate escape. It appears almost evident
that the group was then named by the Tyrians,—for as
the Fortunate Isles they are known in ancient geography.
The name seems to allude to some "foregone
conclusion," a peculiarly happy circumstance (i. e.
escape from foe or wreck) being connected with the
naming.
That the Aborigines of these Islands, and those of
Ancient America were the same, will be admitted
from the Mummies discovered in the two Countries.
They are identical with each other, and they are not
Egyptian,—for they lack the stone Sarcophagi, the
hieroglyphics and the mummy Cloths. The mummies
of Peru and Teneriffe are bound in skins of animals,—(a
custom no where else found, although it is recorded
of the Scythians)—those of the former in the skin of
the lama,—those of the latter in the goat-skin, an
animal with which the Island abounded, and with the
skins of which the original inhabitants clothed themselves.
The Mummies of both Countries are also,
bound within the skins by leather thongs and straps,
made from the hides of the respective animals. Such
facts cannot be accidental,—they must be identical.
The manner described above, may have been the
custom throughout all Mexican America;—that they
are only discovered at Arica in Peru, may arise from
natural causes,—viz., at Arica the rain never falls (as in
Egypt) and the soil is calcareous,—and the dryness of
the atmosphere, with the saline qualities of the earth,
produce natural embalming; thus preserving the body
for ages from decomposition,—while in other portions
of the Continent, from the moisture, and the absence
of the preserving qualities, the bodies would gradually
decay, and return and mingle with the undistinguishing
dust of centuries. Many analogies are found to the
Tyrians, in the details and decorations of the Peruvian
Mummies,—both of the rich and the poor. Those of
the poor are invariably found resting upon beds of
broken fish-shells;—these beds are supposed to be placed
there for "religious motives." May not the purple
murex (i. e. dye shellfish) of Tyrus (as on the Altar
of Copan) be here alluded to by this religious custom?
In the same Mummy-pits (and they extend over a mile)
are found various models of boats, lines, and fish-hooks;
these are buried with the Mummies, and they are
evident witnesses of the occupation,—or the "religious
motives" of the departed. Is not Tyrus here also?—her
fisheries were her National emblems. And that
this custom (whereby the means of sustenance were
obtained) was practised in South America by the Aborigines,
is distinctly stated by Dr. Robertson, upon the
authority of Berrere. The statement, also, shews that
the distinction between those of the North and South,
or Mexican America is apparent,—those of the former
depended upon hunting for their sustenance,—those of
the latter,—or the Tyrian descendants,—as did their
ancestors, upon their fisheries. Robertson says—"In
this part of the globe (i. e. South America) hunting
seems not to have been the first employment of men,
or the first effort of their invention and labour to obtain
food. They were fishers before they became hunters."
[Vol. v., Book iv., p. 318.]
The boat-model is directly emblematical of a Religious
custom of Tyrus,—copied from the Egyptian,—viz.,
the belief that the Soul had to pass through various
stages and translations, before it reached its final
destination or happiness. To accomplish this, the body
was to pass over a River,—in a sacred-barge or boat:—the
the helmsman was called by the Egyptians in their
own language,—Charon. The Classic reader will instantly
trace the mythological fable of Greece, concerning
the Ferryman of the River Styx,—probably
introduced into Grecian Thebes by the Tyrian
Cadmus.
The Mummies of the rich discovered in Peru, are
invariably wrapped in cloth, crimson (purple) coloured;—here
then is the National colour of Tyrus, (derived
from the shellfish) and which made that country so
renowned. The colour itself is found enveloping the
bodies of the rich,—while the useless and "broken
shells" are found beneath the Mummies of the poor,—the
same National tribute to both,—though in degree,
according to the wealth of the deceased;—for the
Tyrians, like the Egyptians, would not admit of any
distinction in the grave, as to rank or title;—but,
believed that in the great Republic of Death, all were
equal,—and,—as in the Kingdom of Kingdoms,—that
good deeds alone constituted the true distinctions.
In a notice of the Ancient Mummies of Teneriffe,
the Baron Humboldt states, that they differ from the
Egyptians in physiognomy, and that the ornaments
resemble those used in Mexican America! Now when
the illustrious Traveller wrote those facts (as shewn
in the following quotation), there was no Theory in his
mind in reference to the Tyrians,—yet his remarks
will support this present History, and they are too
important, as to undeniable authority, to be passed by
indifferently by the reader. Baron Humboldt says—
"On examining carefully the physiognomy of the
ancient Canarians, able anatomists have recognised
in the cheek-bones, and the lower jaw, perceptible differences
from the Egyptian Mummies. The corpses
are often decorated with small laces [necklaces] to
which are hung little disks of baked earth [clay] that
seemed to have served as numerical [Religious?] Signs;
and resemble the quippoes of the Peruvians and Mexicans!"
[Per. Nar., p. 278.]
Here then upon the high authority of Humboldt,
is an analogy traced between the ornaments of the
Mummies of the Guanches (Tyrians) and the ancient
inhabitants of Mexican America.
Upon every consideration of the subject the Mummies
discovered at Teneriffe and in Peru are identical;—the
same kind are not found in any other parts of the
world,—and Teneriffe (as chief of the Fortunate Isles)
was known, visited, and inhabited by the Tyrians.
To prove that the Mexican Aborigines were originally
from the Tyrians, we have established the following
powerful Analogies, as being practised, found,
or in tradition among the People of both Nations, and
they are the only two countries where the same similitudes
can be found;—we will not say in a single
instance, but collectively,—and in that way only should
they be viewed by the reader. The summary is as
follows: viz.—
Religious Idolatry:—the worship of, and sacrifice of
human lives to the God of War; the worship of Saturn,
and consequent Infanticide to propitiate the remorseless
deity; the long Cross (and others) of the Goddess Astartē,
in the Sculpture;—the sacrifice to Hygeia by optional
Circumcision;—the chief worship to Apollo,—or
the Sun;—the gorgeous Temples erected to his glory;—human
sacrifice upon the dedication of the Temples;—and
the Sacred Fire,—guarded by the Virgins of
the Sun. The comparative Mummies of the Tyrian
Isles and Peru; the traditional story concerning Swans;
the Tortoise and Serpent in Sculpture; the dye-shell,
or purple murex;—Navigation with its attendant
Maps and Charts;—the Aborigines coming from "the
East," and by Navigation;—their landing,—or "touching
at Florida," and "before the Christian Æra,"—then
the discovery of the wreck of a Tyrian galley. The
knowledge of Painting, and the general application of
Colours; and Gem engraving. As the Sculpture contains
only hieroglyphics, and not one cipher or letter,
consequently the spoken language of Phœnicia is not
found,—nor is there any other language discovered,—and
for a proof of its antiquity, the Tyrian-Temple
Sculpture should be only hieroglyphical. The political
character in the formation of Monarchies and Republics,
as shewn at Tyrus and Carthage, Mexico and
Toltecas:—Military character, and knowledge of defensive
locality, with analogous Architecture in the
sea and river-walls of Tyrus and Copan. The last
event in the history of Tyrus, sculptured upon the
Chief Altar of the most ancient Ruin (Copan); and
from the character of that event, it would naturally
become the first subject of record in the country to
which they had emigrated,—every detail of that Altar
is essentially Tyrian. Painted sculpture, and the stuccoing
of the walls of Tyrus and Palenque. The
Architecture, as to its square-columned style, identified
as Tyrian, and proved to be analogous from the
Temples of Jerusalem and Palenque: and from the
square Pillars of Copan;—while the pyramidal base
produced the compound term,—Egypto-Tyrian.
These absolute analogies have been traced from
Holy-Writ, (and from that source others are to follow)
Histories, and Traditions,—from Sculpture, Coins, and
Architecture, and the entire range of the Arts;—Earth
and Ocean have rendered their records, to establish
that the same knowledge and customs were possessed
by both Nations,—nor will the proof of identity stop
there;—their mutual knowledge was also found in
that science where Heaven itself was, and is, the illuminated
map of study,—where the Stars, as letters of
fire, form the language of the Skies,—God Himself
being the Alpha and the Omega!
The sublime Science of Astronomy claims both
Tyrus and Tyrian-America for her children and pupils,—the
latter viewed, and solved the problem of the
annual course of the glorious Sun (the chief worship),
with as much accuracy (save a diurnal fraction) as
the later, and more accomplished scholars and disciples,—Italy,
Germany, and England.
In reference to historical evidence, and testimony,
founded upon analogies and coincidences, the acute
observer, Dr. Paley, says—
"The undesignedness of coincidences is to be gathered
from their latency, their minuteness, their obliquity:—the
suitableness of the circumstances in which
they consist to the places in which those circumstances
occur, and the circuitous references by which they are
traced out, demonstrate that they have not been produced
by meditation or by fraudulent contrivance; but
coincidences from which these causes are excluded,
and which are too close and numerous to be accounted
for by accidental concurrence of fiction,—must necessarily
have Truth for their foundation."
As this History of Ancient America is founded upon
the great principle of the Baconian philosophy,—viz., Inductive
reasoning,—i. e. facts, accumulated to prove a
theory;—it therefore, follows, that the novel secrets of
this History, are discoveries, not inventions,—and
they essentially are upheld, and supported, by the
records of The Bible.
We submit to the opinion even of a sceptical reader,
whether he does not, with the foregone proofs, believe our
historical proposition,—viz., That Tyrians were the
first inhabitants of Ancient America, and the original
builders of the now Ruined Cities and Temples?—but
should he believe, or even waver, the subsequent Book
of this Volume (exemplifying the cause and time) will
confirm his thought, or remove his doubt. Following
our Scriptural motto, and instruction, we shall still
obey that voice of advice:—
"For enquire, I pray thee, of the former Age,—and
prepare thyself to the search of their Fathers; shall not
they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of
their heart?" [Book of Job, viii. 8 and 10.]
George Jones.
