The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-06-08


arrows on board One of these which we
procured, was pointed with a head Of
milky quartz exactly corresponding with
specimens picked up in New England.
Among the relics found in excavating
the low mounds on the plain of Marathon
as we were informed by one ofour country
men. who was at Athens some years ago,
there were spear heads made of flint, which
he declared were like those be had often
seen ploughed up in his native fields.
These, it was conjeotured, might have been
among the weapons of some Of the rude
Scythians in the Persian army, which
met its defeat on that celebrated battle
ground,
A negro from an obscure group Of
islands just north of New Guinea. in des-
cribing the weapons in use among his
countrymen, drew the forms of spear heads
which he said were often made of stones
and, when shown specimens from our col
lection, declared that they were very
much like them.
1t has been thought, that certain in
struments would naturally be invented by
men in particular states Of society and
under certain circumstances. as the result
Of their wants and the means at hand to
supply them. 1t is not, however, always
easy to reconcile this doctrine with facts
For example, the black race Of the islands
north of New Holland, (of which so little
is yet known,) appear to require the use
Of the bow as much as any other savage
people, yet they are entirely ignorant of
it, though it has been thought one Of the
simple, most natural and most indispensi-
BILE instruments in condition of society.
We are therefore left in doubt, in the
present state Of our knowledge, whether
tuc Ludhuid0tuIS duu use ol stone arrow
heads have been 50 extensively difu,ed
over the globe by repeated inventions, or
by an intercourse between portions of the
human race long since ceased, or by both
causes. To whichever Of these opinions
We may incline, the subject must still ap.
pear to us worthy of investigation, as the
history of these relics must necessarily be
closely connected with that Of different
families and races of men in every con-
tinent and every zone.
We would invite particular atteption to
the position and circumstances Of Indian
remains which may hereafter be found :;
and would express a wish that ther might
he recorded and made known. Our news
papers offer most favorable vehicle for
the communication of such discoveries and
observations, and our editors generally
must have taste and Judgment enough to
give room for them
1t was remarked in some Of our publi-
cations few years ago, that no unequiyo-
cal remains of the Red men had yet been
discovered in the earth, below the most
recent strata Of soil, excepting cases in
which they had been buried in graves, &c.
Perhaps later observations may furnish
evidence of the longer presence of that
race on our continent than such state.
ment countenances.
One of the most interesting objects of
enquiry, with some antiquaries, is whether
there are any ancient indications of AL
phabetical writing in our continent. A
small stone found in the Gravel Greek
Mound, and others Of Il more doubtful
character, are quite sufficient to awaken
interest and stimulate enquiry.
A few specimens of rude sculpture and
drawing have been found in different parts
of the Z. States and shells, ornaments
&C., evidently brought from great distan-
ces There may be others, known to in.
dividuals, of which antiquarles are not
aware. After persuing the foregoing ac.
count, it will be easy to realize that all
such remains may be worthy of attention
Not only copies should be made and di
mensions taken, but descriptions should bC
written, local information and tradition.
collected, measures taken to preserve thc
originals, and some notice given which
may reach persons interested in such sub
jects.-Schoolcrah, ed. 1851 p. 2ls.
April first was s. joke-oso day il
San Francisco, The proprietor of
fashionable shoe store received polit
note asking him to call and take the mea
sure of Madam--'s pretty foot in OF
der to fit her to a pair Of shoes Th
gentlemen brushed his hair slipped on
new roat, and with an air of seli-approba
tion hurried to the address and enquire
for Madam. He was told that n
such person was there "Oh yes" raj