The Sun.
London, England, 1824-05-04 00:00:00

FOR 'THE SUN.

ANCIENT AND NEW MEXICO.
Mme. EDITOR—Under this name a most inte-
resting iixhibition has been opened at the Egyptian
Hall, in Piccadilly, by that most indefatigable
investigator of nature axed her varied productions,
Mr. Buttocx. The Museum, to contain which
the. CUTiOtIll edifice above men.tioned, was pur-
posely erected, was deservedly admired, not only
for the many curious specimens it possessed, but
still more for the perfect manner in which they
were preserved. We did not hesitate to think
that the sale, and consequent dispersion, of this
valuahle collection, must be 'sincerely regretted
by every lover of natural history, and more
especially, by all parents desirous of giving their
children an insight into the varied wonders of
creation.
To Mr. Bullock we were some time ago in.
debted for the opportunity of seeing the Lap-
lander and his Rein Deer, and now he offers the
public, what we do not hesitate to consider as
the most curious and interesting spectacle that
has yet been afforded in any country of Europe ;
and one 'which, we are sure, the philosopher as
well as the mere idler will be equally anxious to
attend. It affords food for all tastes ; and the
superficial observer, or other deep investigator of
nature, will be no less pleased with the natural
productions exhibited in what Mr. Bullock
terms Modern Mexico, than 'the antiquary
will feel gratified by examining the hitherto
unknown monuments of ancient Mexico.—
The present period Is highly favourable to a.n ex-
hibition of this sort. Not only does there exist
at the present day a laudable spirit of research,
but the New World is assuming daily an interest
with the Old World, which it had not hitherto
possessed. Long borne down by the oppressive
yoko of the Mother Country, Mexico has 'at
length made a bold, and, we sincerely hope, a
successful attempt to establish its political inde-
pendence. This alone would render whatever
has any relation with it a matter of no common

interest. To Great Britain its emancipation
cannot but prove of the highest possible import-
ance, since it must open a new channel for her
commerce, and consequently give an additional
stimulus to the industry of the manufacturer, and to
the speculations of the merchant. In this regard,
the advantages to be derived from this intercourse
being mutual, they will be, no doubt, duly ap-
preciated by either country ; and from Mr. B.'s
account of the facilities afforded him to explore the
hitherto sedulously concealed treasures of Mexico,
there can be no doubt of the anxiety of the pre-
sent Mexican Government to procure the good-
will of Great Britain. Certain it is, that this
hope, together with the spirit of enterprize now
suddenly called into activity, have given already
to that country a stimulus, from which the most
beneficial advantages may be with justice antici-
pated. Already, according to Mr. 8., are British
capital, machinery, and industry actively em-
ployed in the immense field which has been thus
opportunely laid open.

- Under these circumstaaces, every attempt at
giving the British public a correct notion of a
country, hitherto nearly unknown, is deserving of
praise and of encouragement. Towards giving
an idea of what Mexico actually is, much has
been done by Mr. B. in collecting the various
quadrupeds, birds, fishes, plants, minerals, ar-
ticles and dress, &c. which fill the room appro-
priated to the elucidation of New Mexico. The
animals and fruits are preserved in his best.style. '
They are curious in themselves, and the fishes,
but more especially the delightful tribe or hum-
ming birds, are new, and beautiful in the extreme.
Among the mineralogical specimen, the beauty of
the novel forms of many of the crystals of quartz
and of carbonates of lime, will not fail to attract
the attention, and awaken the admiration of the
mineralogist. .
If the room destined to exhibit all that remains
of Ancient Mexico be less splendid in its ap-
pearance, it is not less interesting as to its con
tents. The antiquary will find here as many
-
objects of wonder and of novelty, and no less
matter for deep reflection, as the naturalist meets
with in the other apartment. In the latter, the
eye roves with delight upon the luxuriant pro-
ductions of a tropical climate. In this, it gazes
with amazement upon the sombre, and somewhat
terrific, but highly curious remains of a once
powerful empire. The documents of its former
state of civilization are thus suddenly brought to
light, after lying concealed and nearly forgotten
during the lapse of three successive ages. When
the surprise of the beholder, at thus finding him-
self suddenly placed amidst the ruins of, Mexico,
has somewhat subsided, and he more leisurely
and attentively examines the idols, the statues,
the hieroglyphics, the sculptured stones, the
pyramids, &c. that lie around him, he must be
immediately struck with the unsuspected pitch
of perfection .to which the Mexicans had carried'
the arts, and consequently with the degree of
civilization which they had attained. Many more, +
and no doubt equally valuable documents of
this people, might now have been 'brought to
light, had not the ravages of the followers of
CORTEZ, in the first instance, end the destructive
zeal, as well as 'the policj, of his successors, com-
bined to plunge the History of Mexico into
complete obscurity, from which it will not now
ever be able to emerge. This unfortunate cir-
cumstance must be certainly deeply regretted ;
yet is it 'a matter of great consolation that the li-
beral spirit of the present existing Government
has enabled Mr. 13. to bring forth documents
which must have otherwise 'remained for ever
concealed. They are, no doubt, in themselves a
truly valuable acquisition, since through him
alone can we form any Ming like 'a correct idea of
the degree of civilization which the Mexicans 'had
attained. That their profciestey in 'stapture far
surpassed any notion I formerly entertained, I
most readily avow. I could itnagine their pro.
ductions somewhat superior to these of the South
Sea Islanders, but was not in the leak prepared
to find them equal, if not even superior, to those
of the ancient Egyptians. Many are wrought in
the same materials : the proportions of the human
figure are Irot more intotrtvt in the one than in.
the other, and the superidrity or the Mexican
artists consists in having given 'a greater and a.

•
more varied eipression of countelnince to Aso
figures, than are to be'met with in-the works of
the generality of the Egyptian. In most respects,
the similarity of style, of attitude, of bead-dress,
is peculiarly striking,and-is certainly as' singular
as It must be unexpected. NOr is thiirnostextn"
ordinary coincidence confined to this, it exist*
equally in the sculptured stone, in ,
hieroglyphic I- -
writing, and even in the stupendous pyramid
But, and as if to render this people still more ha-
explicable, if the edifices, the statues, &c. of so-
cient Mexico bear so strong a resemblance to
those of ancient Egypt, the form of worship, the
monstrous idols, its sacred caves, bear a re-
semblance equally remarkable to the disgustieg
worship of the Ilindoos!! These facts, thus Un-
expectedly brought to light, must afford ample
matter for reflection and give much room for conjec-
ture; but it is probable that the cause of this re
semblance between two ancient nations, which are
themselves, by, some authors, considered as hav-
ing the same origin, will yet remain a mystery,
which the want of sufficient documents cannot
permit us to fathom. A. P.