The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-03-23

DISCOVERIES AT IARRAGohAj OPAIN.-
This ancient locality has been for some. time
past a source Of interesting archaeological
discoveries. As early as 1851 an Egyptian
tomb had been found near the harbor, and
shortly after a Roman Mosaic pavement
came to light. But i! soon appeared that
below the stratum containing the r ru-
ins another species Of ruined buildings was
to be met with, as large stone capitals of a
simple, most antique shape came to light,
resembling these Of Hercules temple of
Kora. In 1862, on making the foundations
for a garden wall, anolher fragment of Egyp-
tian hieregly phics and characters came to
light; aud somewhat later a fragment Of a
celestial hemisphere Of the northern heav-
ems was discovered. At the beginning of
this year tho Academy Of Madrid sent a COM
mission to the spot, under whose directions
the following discoveries have been made:
First, some fragments Of vases of an
Etruscan pattern, some with Iberic legends,
and soma Id erian Coins, with let eTs in that
language. This recalls TO mind a passage
of Strabo, Glib. iii. y where he speaks OF Ib-
eria as possessing n literature 6,000 years
old. At tho same time the head and chest
of the statue of a god were found. 1t is
made of the stsno iould about Tarragona,
and bears the Egyptian beard; on the chest
is a Scarabnus Of very high relief, and the
lower part Of the fragment is covered with
hieratic inscriptions. During the same ex-
c~avation were found a great many fragments
OF stucco, of superior fnsness and polish,
which had served for the coating OF thu wall,
also with fine colors and hieratic signs, as
we'll as some friezes Of buildings with Ovo-
10 ornaments Of a very antique character
Moreover, the remnants Of a floor, made OF
a mass Of great hardness and fine polish
were found. All these fragments were
scattered within tho area Of Il building of
metres long and 367 metres'hrosd, whose
walls had yot the height Of nearly G l%est,and
had been coated with the stucco alluded to
1t is thought that these ruins belong to an
spoch much anterior to that of Roman civ.
ilization. Equally interesting are som,
considerable remnants Of u Cyclopic wal
found on the hill near tho harbor of Tara
gonO, which, ut some places are 7 metre
high and 5 metres broad, and upon which
rost other ruins of an Iberic type.-BaiLisr
TIE RELiaGoa OF RUSSIANS publit
attention being very particularly directe,
towards the Russian nation at the presen
time, a few remarks regarding some pecu
~liarities in their manner of worship, &c.
) which, probably, are not generally known
may be interesting.
> Whenever u Russian passes n church, hi
custom is to cross himself, (some do s
: three times, accompanying II with bowling.
: In every room IN the house an image, o
picture, is placed in-the east corner, belOr
which they uncover their heads, and eros
/, themselves on entering,
Their churches are filled with these, thsi
, representatives Of the Deity, and it is cur
Gus to ssc a devQut Russian kissing the to
OF one, crossing himself before anothej
/, while to another he will In addition pros
trste himself. even with his head to til
ground; this latter is slso very %frequentl
done at intervals, during the celebration
4, their SERVES; but their churches are Away
open, so that If any one wants to psy dew,
ton to q particular image, or picture, Will
r 40 service is going on, he can do so.
r The Russians also believe in relics,
; their efficacy in h~elaIing diseases, workin
other miracles, &c. Notwithstanding TIL
a very short tune ago u new relic was fou1
t in the south Of Russia, and a courier helm
Immediately dispatched with it to the En-
psror at st, Petersburgh; on his arrival, h
Imperial Majesty, expecting some impor
ant news regarding his operations in Il
: nsighborhood OF Tutkey) when told his e
rand, exclaimed, "Away with the relic!
/. is time to put an end to such nOnssnse!"-
: Would that this were to be carried out. :
But their superstition seems toe deep
rooted, to be done away with in asho
= time.