Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-11-30
TRAVELLERS AND RUINS IN CEN
TRIAL AMERICA.


We perceive that there are two interes-
ting works preparing for publication, con-
corning the vast and singular ruins that
have been discovered in Central America
and Yucatan. Ohe is by Mr. Norman on
the remarkable ruins Of Chi-Chen, Zay,
Zabah and Uxmal, in Yucatan, and to be
published by the Langleys; the other is by
Mr. Stephens the former traveller, on the
ruins OF Central America, Palanque, &C.,
and to be published by the Harpers. Mr..
Norman, although he travelled alone, visi-
ted place Of which We had no previous
record; we mean the stupendous ruins of
Chi-Chen. Other travellers, French and
English had seen and written about Palan-
que and Uxmal before Mr.. Stephens, but
Mr.. Norman, is the first visitor to the ruins
of Chi-Chen who has given to the world
any written record of his visit.
We have seen the illustrations to both
these splendid works, and can only say that
society is greatly indebted to these enter
prising and talented young men, for such
valuable additions to our National Litera-
ture. We think that probably the work of
Mr.. Norman will be read with the greatest
speaks OF is entirely new. Indeed, it was
by mere accident that Mr.. Norman heard
of these ruins. He had been to Cuba for
his health, and crossed to Merida in Yucca
tan. At Valladolid he heard Of the ruins
at, Ch-Chen, lying on or near the path road
to Campeachy, but none conld say that they
had seen them. After travelling from one
Indian hut to another, accompanied only by
an Indian boy, at last on the third day, and
about forty miles from Valladold, he came
in sight Of the beautiful and stupendous ru-
ms of Chi-Chen. Here he found the re-
mains of city probably the larges. the
world has ever seen. For circuit of many
miles IN diameter, nothing could be discov-
cred but the walls of palaces ana temples,
and pyramids more or less dilapidated; and
the earth SO far as the eve could reach, was
strcwcl with beautiful columns, some near
ly perfect. One temple was $50 feet long
and built carefully of hewn stone, Within it
was one room, fourteen feet long and six
wide, and those partc Of the room not in
! ruins were furnished with soul ptuIed blocks
of stone, a. foot square, representing Indian
tgurcS, with feather head dresses armed
with bows and'arrows, their noses ornament
ed with rings, carrying in one hand bows
and arrows, and in the other musical in
strumcnt; and these figures were irrterspers-
ed with animals representing the Egyptian
croc ,dile.
A few rods to the South of the temple of
Ch-Chen stands pyramid measuring 500
feet at its base, gradually drawing in towards
the summit, which presents large plat
form, upon which is erected a square build
ing about 20 feet high, making the whole
structure 100 feet high, and all carved and
ornamented with rare architectural devc IS,
approaching the Egyptian and Hindoo style.
But the most extraordinary part OF the
ruins is the " House Of the Caciques." 1t
is wonderful edifce Of the Egyptian style
OF architecture, and well calculated to i'm
press the beholder with the immense wealth
and skill OF the unknown architects. But
we shall have more to say about these ruins
hereafter.
Mr.. Norman, after leaving Chi-Chen,
went towards the mountains on his road to
Campeachy. He visited the runs of Ichmul
Zabbah, Zayi, Hobcacnl, and Uxmal. The
ruins OF Zayi are very beautiful situated in
the very midst of hills; those of Chi-Chen
are on a vast level plain.
Mr.. Norman also has brought home with
him great variety eff curious idols, and
other relics of the strange people who once
inhabited those cities, and has deposited
them with the New York Historical Soce-
~. He also brought home large stone,
from the front of the House of Caciques.'
On examing it, We found it to be a very
compact limestone, with an admixture of
slick. The wood used in those buildings is
very hard and of beautiful texture; but he
found no metallic instruments.
We shall look with great anxiety for the
appearance of each ofthese valuable works.
Mr.. Normon's work will be published in
few days, it will contain near so superb
and original plates, illustrative of the re-
markable ruins.-N. Y Herald.