The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-14

4 by assault, and was leit uninhaDited. This
event happened 800 years before the conquest
of Mexico by the Spaniards. The Tulteques
perhaps knew nothing except by tradition, Of
the extinct nation. Neither the religious
worship, the hieroglyphics. nor the archlicc-
iurc Of this ancient people has any connexion
with the Tuhequss and Azleques their ar
chives, which still exist uninured, go back 10
prodigiously remote period. The Palcn-
quians were formed by mixture Of various
nations Of the old continent; to all appear
ance, the Chaldmans were the original stock,
and the main body consisted OF Hindoos.--
The astonishing sculptures, which still remain.
ARE Of quite different character. from all that
has hitherto been known.
Still influenced by an ardent spirit Of inqui-
| ~ Mr.. Waldeck, Ia February, 1884, journey
ed {, the province Of Yucatan, amidst the ra-
wages of the cholera, and tho misery and
| famine which were caused by the pestilence.
There, supplied with pecuniary aid by mu-
nihcent and learned Irish peer, he undertook
to explore, in the interior Of that fine peninsu-
la, the monuments which he knew 10 exist
there. He first bent his course 10 the noun
tains Of the centre. on which he found the vast
and superb city Of Y,zalan, which has width
Of half league, and extends eight leagues
from north to south. The enthusiasm of Mr.
Waldeck had been excited W the fine relics
| of Palenque, but here it was raised to still
higher pitch--for here he found monuments in
excellent preservation, the workmanship Of
which, for splendor, interest, and solidity, ex-
ceeded all that could be imagined He labored
| with unabating ardor for two years, and was
about to visit second time the ruins Of Chi
chan Ytzta, when, on the 9Th Of Janu-
airy, 1886, in consequence Of an order of the
Mexican government, all his drawings and
papers were seized. Fortunately, he had du-
plicates Of the documents, and, since his ar
rival in England, he has been engaged in re-
| placing. from his original sketches. the draw
/ ings which were taken from him. The scien-
tfc bodies of London and Paris, have ex-
pressed to him the interest which they take in
his researches; and his correspondence with
learned member of the Institute M Jomard)
has gained for him medal from the Geogra-
phical Society at Paris. He is now prepar-
ing for the press narrative of his travels
| The first part will be that which relates to
Yucatan. Mr.. Waldeck deems it necessary
to hasten the publication of it, for fear that the
drawings which were taken from him may be
sent to Europe to be clandestinely sold a
measure which the dishonorahle action COM
mtted with regard to his property authorizes
him to consider as not improbable. The In
quiries in Yucatan are dedicated to Viscount
Kingsborough, author Of /" The Mexican An
| tiquities,' which have been already noticed in
former volume, and in the present number
Of this Review.
| The Travels will treat on the statistics, Gus
toms and usagcs Of the country--in a word.
on all that can interest an observing mind,
whether amusing, useful, or instructive; they
will also include many anecdotes, characters
| tic of the manners of the Creoles and Indians;
a sketch Of the commerce Of the province,
and Of the future importance relative to poll
teal geography an ancient Yucaiee ballad
Of considerable beauty, and curious for the
| light which il throws on the ancient history Of
the Maya; copious vocabulary of the Maya
language, for theSIse Of travellers who may
wish to visit the country an Essay to prove
that the Yucatees are ofPalenquian origin; and
a Summary of the ancient history Of the Maya,
from century before the conquest till their
subjugation, which did not take place ill the
year 100. The work viii be Illustrated by
general map Of the province, the interior of
which was unknown, and by % or % plates,
engraved or Autographed, according to the
style ofthe subjects, and accompanied by an
explanatory text.