Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-11-26

INTERESTING DlscovERIBs IN GAUTEMALA.-
The New York Tribune contains LONG and
highly interesting letter from the Able de
Bourboug, giving an account of some remark
able discoveries made by him in Guatemala,
Of ancient cities, temples, and other works of
art as well as of ancient manuscripts, IN the
language of the native tribes of the country,
which. in chronological view, are of very
great interest.
The Able, it appears is familiar with sever
al OF the native languages, which gives him
great advantage over other investigators. In
one of the historical works referred to, he ira
ces the origin of the Quiche people to the
northern parts of America. This people. he
says, came from the northeast, and certainly
passed through what is now the United States,
crossing sea in darkness, mist, cold, and
snow" He believes they came from Denmark
or Norway, in small numbers, and lost their
white blood by their mixture with the Indians,
but whether in the United States or in eau
tamala, he is doubtful.
"6ut what is more convincing" he says,
"of this migration or passage, find the same
result by comparison of the languages" In
analysing their language, he finds that all the
words which he cannot trace directly to the
Mexican or Maya, belong to the languages of
northern Europe, viz English, Saxon, Dan
ish, Swedish. Flemish, and German. Some
even appear to belong to the French and Per-
sian. Altogether, the Able prononnces the
analogies Every numerous and astounding.
1t is perfectly plain, he thinks, that the in
vading tribes adopted the language of the
county, and that some words only Of their
own language remained. "Who knows" he
adds, "but the mounds and Notifications found
in western New York, Ohio, Tennessee, &C.,
yvarp Ynado Inv tho sou1o reop1s, and bv tho col.
opy of Mortimer, who were known to exist
in Massachusetts,, and disappeared after the
tenth century"
1t would be singular fact, if the learned
Able should discover the descendants of the
ancient Scandinavian colony, which in the
tenth and following centuries visited the
shores of New England and which is gener-
ally believed once penetrated Narragansett
Bay. during the twelfth century, andpassed a
winter here. The ancient Icelandc Sagas de.
scribe country to the south, which they claim
to have been discovered and visited by the
mortimer, but their late geographers have
supposed this southern land to have been
Florida and the Carolicas. But they might
as we'll argue in favor OF Guatamnla, which
is but a few days sail from the Florida coast.
AT any rate, these discoveries will no doubt
awaken an interest among the antiquaries of
northern Europe, and lead to renewed re-
searches for traces of the descendants of the
ancient mortimer.
The name of the Able Bourbourg has been
long known TO US through an esteemed friend,
now in Paris, where the Able then lived, as
possessing more accurate knowledge of early
American history and eihnology than any
other man living. He spent some time in
Central America, a few years since, where he
collected number of valuable manuscripts,
and made study of the native languages. A
few months ago lie arrived in New York from
Paris, on his way to Guatemala, which he in.
tended to explore thoroughly. He there fell
short of means to pay his expenses out, and
was compelled to part with the most valuable
of his treasures, viz: manuscript dictionary
of the Maya language of Guatemala, embrac
ing more than six thousand words, the only
one extant. This valuable work. Which ap
peared to have been made between two and
three hundred years ago by the old Spanish
missionaries, we are happy to say, was Iortu
nately secured by well known collector O
Providence, and is one Of the richest gems il
his n-agniicent library. Providence Journal.