The New Orleans crescent., 1869-01-17

I 10 In the best state of preservation-sc,r ,rce'v n
CHARACTER OF the inscription is wanting. and the
figures are as sharp and well defined as II execn.
ted only few days ago. One of the scenes "a ~.
resented ls circle of the ancient aborirnes si,tn
IN council-with the all. potent pipe of peace nar
forming Its wonted circuit. while the fortnnss ~
war and peace are being discussed in the preserc ce
OF the white-winged presiding genius. Anotbsr
scene represented is a royal chieftsin folio ved bv
MS attendants-a prisoner Is at his feet while mar
are oelng introduced leading various animals ana
carrying ponderous cross bows, javelins ana other
weapons. The animals represented are the ee
phant, polar bear, lion, stag and various kinds Of
monkeys. The ornaments delicatey craven ON
the robes OF the party, the tsssels and frnges the
bracelets and srmlets. the elaborate curls of the
hair and beard are all entire. One of the chiefs
stands very erect aud carries in his arms AN AMI.
mai resembling chamois upon his right arm and
In his left hand branch bearing fine flowers
around his temples are a flet adorned in front
with rosette.
One of the other characters. In traecaI a,,;.
tude, holds square vessel. resembling basket.
IN bis left hand, and drawn dagger in the right
while on his head is worn rounded cap. at the
oase OF wnicn is norm The garments of both
consist OF robe falling from the shoulders TO the
ankle, and short tunic underneath, descending
10 the knee, and are richly and testefullv deco.
rated with embroideries and fringes whilst the
1sir and beard are arranged with study and taste.
Inc limbs are deneated with peculiar accuracy.
and the muscles and bones faithfully, though some
what too strongly marked.
COPPER STATUE.
After proceeding further, the party reached a
large room with high arched roof ia which
were the entrances to many other chambers
These contained the crowning gem of the won
ders-notniDg less than a huge sarcophagus of
copper-nine feet long and three feet In width
minutely scuptured within and without. with sey.
erai hundred figures representing an immense
funeral procession and ceremonies relating to the
oeceaseG chieftian, with embems and other de-
pa nj In ~
ed quantity of bones and jsvelins.
ToPHET.
In one Of the secluded corners of this apart.
ment, and few feet below the level of the floor
Is the arehed entrance TO an unexplored cham.
toer-approsched by narrow passage way down
through hideous stone stairway. The psrtv.
after repeated efforts TO effect an entrance veys
oplleed to abandon it. In plainly. defined Indian |
characters, II bears the significant inscription. |
All hope abandon, ye who enter in,' an admoni. |
tion which, while IT tended only to excite and in.
crease the curiosity Of the explorers, was wisely
needed.
WEAPONS AND ORNAMENTS.
Ihe snowlsdge of this ancient and interesting |
race Goes not seem, by any means TO have been |
cophDed to statuary and sculpture. Their wea-
pons, ana the Jewel ornaments with which their
persons were adorned, though principally of
copper, are, In some instances, finished with gold
and silver, and carved in the most exquisite man.
1er conceivable indicating mechanical genius and
'Oienuhc attalnments oil the highest order. The
nxury and refinement of an enlightened civiliza.
hon are clearly delineated in these mysterious
images ard devices, rather than the wretchedness
ignorance and superstitions of semi-barbarous
ace as eminent authors of the present age have
nrmlsed our country, previous 10 its discovery bv
columbus, TO have been inhabited by.
At present the strictest vigilance Is observed AZ !
ne caye-no person being allowed 10 enter il |
Without permission from one or more of the ex.
lorers. During the interval we understand IL 10
e the intention of the party having the relics in
ler possession TO ship the movable portion of
hem at once 10 New York, if permission from
be war department for their removal can be OBJ.
aimed.