Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-03-11
For the Spy.
The Aztec Children.

tic Stature and enormous muscular deNelopuenls
,,onld fax our creduty almost beyond the bounds of
reason had not the bones and skeletons been iound
which bv the unerring aid of comparative Anatomy,
have demonstrated the certainty of such race But
amid this interesting history, no account or tradition
has ever reached us of any tribe or race as CORES
nondingly diminutive. Consequently this has always
afforded to the physioogist and student of nature
fertile theme Of imaginary speculation, whether
regular chain of graduation from that class OF animals
assimulatng TO the human form, does, or ever has
existed upwards to that gigantic race, or whether
cur present diminished stature ovingto our depart
ure from the dictates of nature and gross violation
of her laws, which the artificial habits of modern
times we have adopted.
The most prevalent opinion of the two PROPOSE
tions has been the atter that the first inhabitants
Of the earth were universally ofenormous stature and
developments, and unvarying health the undertaking
rule and human life, or length Of days, consequently
heightened And now for ages or centuries back,
the whole human family has been for reasons just
given, gradually, yet regularly degenerating, and
will continue in compromising ratio, corresponding
with our artificial life until the world shall become
depopulated by an incapacity to further propagate
on account of this violation.
At the time when this view had become unlver-
sally received, sudden scintila of light burst up
on the dogma, in the discovery of two children in
Central America which have been introduced into
this country, ard are now on exhibition in our city
Aside from the excitement of visual qualification,
they become one ofthe most interesting curostes to
the Anthopologst, this age has ever produced /; and
TO hghtea the deep interest which this discovery OF
the two Aztec Children has made in this branch of
enquiry-and as if to show that Providence is ever
ready to unfold her purposes to enqurlng man, they
are Of different sexes, Of different ages, and if still
further to check in sweeping conclusions that
have been so generally made, that artificial or civil
lied life had been the cause of all these extrava
gancies-they come almost entirely from that race,
mental study has not impaired
Maxine is 80 IA inches in height. Bartola or the
female 20 IL inches, the combined weight being 81
pounds, the male 20 as, and the female II pounds.
Every bone from the foot to she head, appears in
each one perfectly proportional and for perfect
symmetry of form and rotundity of muscle, not only
in the limbs, but their chest and every other portion
of their bodies, no model in the Anglo Soxon b,
found to compare. The male has perfected hi
second dentition and they both have teeth, dull,
indicating the omnivarous intention of their nature
as with US. Their appeties and taste for looC
shows also, that their parents or immediate progeni
tors or associates had been accustomed to varie
life as well as we. The size of their cranums ar
in perfect proportion with every other part thei
chronological developments remarkably an
well balanced, excepting the perceptve and benev
olence in the male yet notwithstanding this, he
far the most attractive in learning the knowledge
words yet this may be accounted for in the differ
ance of years, judging the male from all appear
to be three years at least the eldest. We sup
pose the male in all probability, to be twelve Q
thirteen years, and the female nine or ten.
This unique miniature of the human species
conjecture would seem to indicate, are the offspring
of an almost extinct race. In all probability, tn
tribe to which they belonged, by some ominous vic
laton of intermarrage, other unlSno fortuitou
circumstances, have been the cause of this grea
physical and probably mental diminuon.
The hasty observer, of the rapid motions and men.
tai manifestations Of these interesting objects, might
conclude their intellect TO be extremely small, but
when we reflect, that it only in June last they
were brought into this country by the Spaniards who
had but recently found them in the wilds of their ma
ture, and that already, with but little effort to inn
part instruction. they readily understand much tina
is said to them, and the eldest already speal
distinctly many words Of our language, we have n
right to conclude otherwise than that they posses
an intellect equal with their physical developments
Could their accurate history be known, pertaining t
their parantage race, modes Of life, and educatio
their geographical and Typographical situation, til
stature and developments of their parents, their ow
birth, and their capture or lescne, it would b
Of nestimable value in forming that connecn
link which has been SO long sought for. E,
cry appearance seems to controvert the idea
their being the offspring of idiots, and they canno
in the common acceptation Of the word be Gale
dwarfs. From some striking appearances of the
hair, &C., we unhestatingIy conclude they embed
cross of the Spanish blood but whether, shou
they live to come to years of maturity, and be ii
structed to talk fuently in our language, they will n
tain any definite notions oftheirorgn, is very que
tionable.
From the wonderful discoveries Of the ruined nom
mcnts and mighty works ofat and genius, showing lh