Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-11-28

htfns an Central .2merica-The remains of
tie city OF Paienqie, in Guatemala, gives in
aicatlons that the population in the DAYS of
us greatness could not have been less than
TWO millions. The ruins extend for the dis
lance OF about twenty miles, and consist of
bridges, aqueducts, palaces, temples, &c. all
OF stone. What is singular, these wonderful
remnants OF remote antiquity We're unknown
10 europeans until the year 1850, when they
were discovered by some Spaniards and
what Is more singular still, they have been
visited by lew persons since. A London pa
per In 1881 contained letter from Spanish
commandant of an adjoining district which
gave an account of his Investigations. The
ruins, according to him, abound in figures of
men ana ANIMALS, in relief, some of colossal
size, together with paintings, and what he
conceived to be characters representing sounds
or phonetic alphabet, of which no traces
nave been elsewhere found in America.
III we mistake not, a later account has been
Pupiished by some French sapnns who visit
eo the spot, and prepared complete sketch of
the ruins, with plates. We NAV however
look shortly fer something entirely satisfac-
tory on this Interesting subject, so far as any,
tning In the way of description can be salts
factory In The absence OF actual inspection
Mr. STEVENS, the oriental traveller, whose
graphic sketches and manly STYLE have en-
rauves CT Eastern incidents and adventures
Is aboutto depart for Guatemala, accompani-
ed by MT: CATHERwOoD, the celebrated tra-
Vcller and artlst.-We shall doubtless have
tDe whole scene set forth both by the pen and
ny lhe pencil In manner worthy of the sub
Ject. vi the race of men that built this once
stupendous metropolis-who filed its streets
with hustle and pursued the avocations oflife.
WITHIN Its walls, nothing now is known ex-
cePt what these imperfect ruins may indicate.
:" nat We're their modes Of government, their
ilaoi's ana manners, their language, their his
tory-no one can tell. The dwellers upon
the soil whom the Spaniards found there,
soon alter the discovery of America, knew
notning OF them even by tradition. When
ala they live! What wide sweeping de-
struction has removed the whole race from
the surface OF the earth Perhaps they were
the contemporaries of the mammoth Uiaut
brood-the primcval occupants of this mich
V contlnent-in size and majestic stature
suited to the natural grandeur OF their home.
III Is said that forest trees have been taken
from amid the ruins Of Palenque whose con-
centric circles indicated growth of one thou.
sand years. Yet those trees never waved o.
yer the living city.
We call ourselves the inhabitants ola ne,,
country. This is the Ncw World, ACCORDING
10 modern phraseology; yet it may be that
we are every day treading upon a soil COM
posed OF elements which were once quicken
ed with human life. Our cities NAV be bnilt
OF materials which once composed temples
and towers. The coal which gives warmth
and comfort to our evening fire sides is mark
ed with the impressions of leaves and twios
which may have overshaded the repose of To-
yers, or sheltered the weary hunter from the
sun, alta time when Achilles poised the smear
from ms war chariot on the plains of Troy.
we hope that every facility which it is in
the power Of our government to furnish will
be granted to Mr.. Mr.. STEVENS and his assoc
ciate, for the accomplishment of a complete
investigation. Every thing that can he
known on the subject of their researches will
be interesting. The remains of Eastern CT
ties have drawn the attention of traveller af
ter acknowledgements and columns have
been measured and sketched-we have had
books and drawings in abundance. But here
is new tield-new to most of us; and what
concerns us particularly, it is upon our own
continent. Every thing connected with the
early history of America, its former inhabi-
tants, their character and works, must be of
interest to the present possessors of a soil
which mas known other masters.-BnH. .8nuer.