Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-12-07
Interesting Discovery IN Guatemala.


From the Providence journal, Nov,g3
The New York Tribune contains n long and
highly interesting letter from the Anne de
II 'nrhuurg, giving an account Of some remark
able discoveries made by him m Guatemala of
ancient cities, temples. and other works of
ant, as well rs tnusrripts, in the ,nguages
Of the native tribes of the country, which,
in IN chronological vicw are OF very great
interest
The Able, 1t appears, is familiar with
several ct the nntl,e ltnLu Ig's. which gives
aim Il great advantage over other inNcstign-
tors. Ia one Of the historical works ret, rrrd
to, lie traces 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 j. now
the United States, crossing sea in darkness.
mist, cold and snow lie believes they
cam" from Denmark and Norway in small
numbers. and lost their white blood hy their
mixture with the Inii,ns, hut whether in the
nited States or in Guatemala, he is doubt
iul.
Bot what is more convincing lie saws.
'ol tliN migration or passage, ma the same
result by II comparison OF the lugulg's In
anllyzirg their language, he finds that all the
words which he cannot trace directly to the
Mexican ur Maya, belong to the language.
Of northern Europe, viz: English, S,xon,
Danish. Swedish. Flemish, aud Germln.-
Some even appear to belong to the French
aud Persian. Altogher the Able pronounces
the analogies very numerous and astound-
ing. 1t Is perfectly PLAIN, he thinks, that
the invading tribes adopted the language Of
the country, and that some words only of
their own language remained. 'Who knows,
he adds, but the mounds and Qualifications
found in western New York, Ohio. Tonnes
see. &c., were made Ivy the same people, and
/ 10y the colony OF mortimer, whu were known
to exist in Massachusetts, and who dsap-
peared after the tenth century
1t would lie singular fact, if the learned
Abhr should discover the descendants Of the
ancient Scandinavian colony. which in the
tenth aud following centuries visited the
sores of New England, and which it is gener-
/ ally believed once penetrated the waters OF
/ NarragtnSett Bay during the twelfth century,
AMI passed winter here. The ancient lee
lindic Sigas describe country to the south
which they claim to have been discovered and
visited 10y the mortimer. hut their Late geo
grdphcrs have supposed this southern land to
have been Florida and the Carninas. But
they might as well argue in favor Of Guate-
mtla, which is but few days sail from the
| Florida coast At any rate, these discover
les will no doubt awaken an interest among
the antiquaries of northern Europe, and lead
TO renewed researches for traces Of the des-
cendants Of the ancient mortimer.
The name OF the Able Bourhourg has ice
long known To US through an esteemed friend.
now in Paris, where the Ahbe then lived MS
possessing more accurate knowledge Of early
American history and ethnolugy than any
man living. lie spent some time in Central
America, few years since, where he col
lcctcd a number of valuable manuscripts
and made II study of the native languages
\ few months ago he arrived in New York
from Paris. on his way to Guatemala WEIGH
he intended tn explore thoroughly. II Their,
fell short of means 10 pay his expenses out
and WAS compelled 10 paIt with the mos
valuable Of his treasures, viz manuscript
dictionary Of the old Myalay language OF Qua
tamula, embracing more than six thousanC
words, the only one extant This valuabl,
work, which appeared To have been made he
tween two and three hundred years ago, b,
the old Spanish missionaries, we are happl
to say Has fortunately secured hy wei
known collector of Providence. and is one .
I tie richest gems in his mnpnifccnt library.