Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1842-12-09
Our New world Ruins,

OF travels by stephens and Norman.-
The grace Of 81 vie for which the former
is celebrated will render his volumes
readable even aside from the interest
ing facts which they will contain. The
publication by Mr.. Norman occupies
new ground 10 a great measure, en-
braces sketches OF rambles in Yucatan,
also notice of q visit to the ruins OF Chi
chen, Kahab, Zayi, and UxmaI. 1t
seems that Mr.. Norman sailed from New
Orleans in November, in l64l, with the
object of passing the winter in some Of
the Central American Islands. While
at Sisal, he heard marvellous stories Of
the wonders OF the interior, and passed
rapidly on to Merida, the capital Of
Yucatan, which was founded 10 1919,
and now contains a population Of 90
GOO, the majority being Indians and
half breeds. After remaining a month
in Merida, Mr.. Norman started direct
ly for the ruins, and was the first visi.
ter TO Chi chen who has given a detail
ed account ofthe place. He says:
cit was on the morning of the 10th
OF February that | directed my steps,
for the first time, towards the ruins Of
the ancient city Of Chi chen. On arriv.
ing in the immediate neighborhood,
was compelled TO cut my way through
an almost impenelrable thicket Of I'M
derbush, inlerIaced and bound together
with strong tendriIls and vines, in
which labor | was assisted by my dill
gent aid and companion, Jose. | was
finally enabled to effect a passage, and
in the course OF a few hours found my
sell in the presence Of the ruins which
sought. For FIVE DAYS did | wander
up and down these crumbling monu
meuls Of a city which, | hazard little
in saying, MUST have been one Of the
largest the world has ever seen. | be-
held before me, for q circuit Of many
miles in diameter, the walls Of palaces
and temples, and pyramids, more or less
dilapidated. The earth was strewed,
as lar as the eye could distinguish,
with columns. some broken and some
nearly perfect, which seemed to have
been planted there by the Genius Of De
ISOLATION which presided over this awful
solitude. Amid these solemn memo
rails of departed generations who have
died and left no marks but these, there
were no indications Of animated eXis'
fence save from the bats, the lizards
and the reptiles which pow and lher
emerged from the crevices OF the totter
ing walls and crumbIiUg stones tina
were strewed upon the ground at lhei
base. No marks Of human footsteps
no signs OF previous visitors, were dis
CernibIe; nor is there any good reason
10 believe that any person whose tesIl
mony of the fact has been given TO th'
world, had eve before broken the sill.
ence which reigus over these sacre'
tombs oil a departed civilization. As
looked about me and induI ged in thes
reflections, | felt awed into perfect ST
ence. To speak then had been pro(ant
A revelation from heaven could nc
have impressed me more Profound
with the solemnity Of its communication
than was now impressed on findin
myself the first, probably, of the pre-
sent generation Of civilized men walk
ing the streets OF this once mighty city
and amid
"Thoso temples, palaces, and piles Stl
pendous,
or which the very ruins are tTemer
dous."
For a long time I was so distracted wit
the multitude of objects which crowde
upon my mind, that | could take no moi
OF them in detail"
The Indians for many leagues roun
visited him daily, and appeared surprl
ed al his movements He could disc
yer no tradition, no legends Ofany kin
All communication with the past seen
10 have been cut off. The Temple, I
says, must have been originally aboI
$50 feet long, and built carefully
hewn stone. Only broken walls al
pillars are now standing. 1t contains
room fourteen feet long and six wild
The parts OF it yet remaining "afe fl
ished with sculpture blocks OF stone
about one foot square, representing II
dian figures, with feather head dresse
armed with bows and arrows, their nc
os ornamented with rings; carrying
one hand bows and arrows, and in Il
other q musical instrument similar
those that are now used by the India
OF the country. These figures arc
terspersed with animals resembling I
crocodile"
"Near this room," he says, 81 fouI
square pillar, only fves feet OF viii
remained above the ruins. II wac car