The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-12-20

n hlhilinl bhA HhnlthE hffhN' AN'nftH f"N
city from the north 10 the south gate having
proportional number Of such monuments
through its entire extent,
The city was found 20 have a population
Of $4,000, "Ibe place Of residence assigned
10 the travellers, was the vacant wing Of
spacious and sumptuous structure which had
been appropriated, from time immemorial 10
the surviving remnant Of an ancient and sin-
gular order Of priesthood, called Kaanaa,
which, Il was distinctly asserted, 10 their an
nails aud traditions, had accompanied the first
migration Of this people from the Assyrian(D
plains.
Their peculiar and strongly distinctive lin
eaments sre 10 be traced In many Of the sculp-
tured monuments Of the Central American
ruins, and were found slill more abundant On
those Of IxnlAya. Forbidden by inviolaAy
sacred laws from intermarping with any per
sons but those Of their own caste, they had
here dwindled down IN the course Of many
centuries to few Insignificant individuals,
diminutive in stature and imbecile in intel
lect They were nevertheless held IN high
yeneration and affection by the whole Ixima-
yam community, probably A. living specimens
Of an antique race % nearly extinct
Their position A. an order Of priesthood, Il
ia now known had not been higher for many
ages, II ever. than that Of religions mines and
baeehanAl', 10 o certain class Of pagan eere-
monies, highly popular with the multitude"
Tho strangers were narrowly watched and
were forbidden 10 leave the city yet their
firearms gave them sufficient security TO en-
able them 10 prosecute their researches.
While IIu6rtis was deyo,ing all his time
and energies to the antiquities, hieroglyphics,
ethnology, science pantheism, arts, mAnufac-
lures and social institutions Of this unknown
city aud people. velasqueE was plying his
arts % gain the confidence Of young man
named Vaalpeor, belonging to higher order
Of priests called MahAboons who had the
guardianship Or Ths fSAHUE riIiirirrrs .FFhess,
attempts proved successful. Velasquez by
degrees inAamed the mind OF the young priest
with tho strongest curiosity TO see other parts
Of the world aud finally proposed an elope-
mcnt with tlcse two children. The greatest
secrecy was necessary to enable them to car
~ out the scheme, but IIuertis, who had
formed an alliance with female confdant
revealed the secret TO her on the night pre-
yioDs TO their intended fight, aud she bciray-
ed him. Tie never returnsh 10 his eompan-
ions. On searching his rooms FOR his papers,
drawings, and instruments II was found tina,
they were all removed. Shortly aner this
discovery, Vhalpeor arrived with It's explain
alton. lie admitted that Huertis had boen
sacrificed on the high altar az the sun, and
that he himself bad Witnessed The ceremony.
As Huortis however had implicated none Of
bis companions, there was yet a chance Of cs-
cape, To pass the gates was impossible but
/ tho wait 'mtghr be dvsrcudryi- by rofe4, asssl
! the swimming OF III" .fosis WAS easy. This
was effected by VelasqueE aud ftecn others
They fed with great speed, but had not pro.
ceedcd far before the low yelp Of blood hound,
was heard upon their trail. The pursuing
party With the dogs were sopr upon the fugi.
lives, when Nelasquez wheeled and halted
A conflict ensued in which many Of the horse.
men wrfr stain. HfFEi rTrr ut tire Knasa .lsil.
dren received slight wound. After about
"a days difficult marching they reached ocos.
lingo where Vnalpeor died from the fatigue
and deprivation Of the journey. VeiSsque1
with the two Aztec children reached San
Salvador about the middle OF February, when
they became objects OF the highest interest &c
the most intellectual classes of that city, n,
the greatest chronological curiosities in living
form that ever appeared among civilized men
he was advised to send them to Europe fol
exhibition.
With this view they have been brought a
Gar as New York, where they will remain fol
q short time.
J. However Npocryphal part Of this Aceoun
may be-for the name Of Velasquez is not suili
GENTLY known TO inspire in us implicit belief
in his stAtcmcnts--yet n personal visit mad,
this evening to these children leaves us N,
room to doubt tho actual existence -of thu
most wonderful specimens Of mankind tina
have ever been exhibited in the ciyilize,
world. Their appearance gives rise TO N,
feelings OF rcpulsion such AZ are produced b,
a view OF dwArGs or any monstrosities ofnatur,
ON the contrary, these little creatures ar
so full OF life and grace, and confding child
ishness rs to invite the most tender intercs
in their persons and movements! They ar,
, slender and finely proportioned, their Sigh
legs giving them rather an unsteady gait
without the clumsness of child who has no
! yet become master of his limbs, or OF yer,
active old man, who, in spite Of his activity
occasionally totters through weakness of tn,
knees. Their countenanccs, though ndici
tive OF little strength of intellect, bear no ira
ces fordinary idiocy--thcir liquid black eyes
and Aquilino nose, and general expression
imprcssing one with the idea that they hav,
been refined do,cn from once noble race t,
j their present condition, by centuries of cfIem
inatc pursuits and ihdulgcnces. They have
no language OF their own, but seem to under
stand readily what is said to them by thei
attendant, and evince much aptitude in learn
ing whatever is taught them. They can al
rcady articulnte with tolerabTe distinctness