Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-27

/. having made the claim granted in 1914 to the
society by congress again operative.
In the matter of prehistoric studies this coun-
try has somewhat the advantage. Antquarians
in Europe are at work for us, Divisions of the
race by ages of stone, bronze and iron, can only
be retained in general way. All that is said
of early historical remains is really only useful
for typographical distinctions. There is enough
of idiosyncracy in Mexican remains to show
that the people were of indigenous growth, and
not an imported race The tales of Spanish
authors have grossly exaggerated the numbers
and scenes treated of, and there is
found a prevailing disposition to refer
constantly to a former race and higher
order of civilization. EHquirers are still
looking for aflnities, and Mr.. Catherwood found
at Palenque a strong resemblance between
living savage and sculpture, while MIR. Be
rendt, the Mexican traveller, brought with him
to this country an Indian boy, who looked like
the ancient Mexican, in form and feature. Still
American minds do not justify the encomiums
of writers and admirers. Mound builders on
the Mississippi possessed the art of enclosing
land in variety of figures, very skilfully, and
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an improved manner of warfare; but
there is no proof Of this. They left no
writing or hieroglyphics, unless the so called
turkey tracks" be SO considered. Civilization
could not then be far advanced, for the articles
found in the tombs were The best they possessed.
Humboldt says that the natives OF America CON-
prise single race The American Indian is al
ways the same, decidedly inferior to the Mangol-
ian stock, says DR.. Morton, whose views are not
always accepted. The various means of identif-
cation of origin, such as form of burial and
analogy oflanguage, cannot he relied on. That
| the American Indian is of very great antiquity,
| is past contradiction, but if he came from
another country, certainly he brought no ami
mails or utensils of labor with him. In Europe
the stone age is Il thing of the remote past
while, in this country, its existence extends to
our time.
Appropriate biographical notices were made
of Henry N Breckenridge, Esq, of Pittsburg
Penn, of Rev. Alonzo Hill, D. D., of Worces-
ter, of Thomas Buckingham Smith of New
York, and of Oliver B. Morris, Esq, OF Spring
field, all of them members of the society.
The treasurer, Nathaniel Paine, ESQ.,, reported
the aggregate of the funds to be S78, 56S. Libra
rian and interest fund.- S,217; collection fund,
S13 800; book binding fund, S9710; publication
fund Si0,T42; Salisbury building fund, S975S;
Davis fund.- 5000; Lincoln legacy fund, S1062.
The Iibrari9n reported an addition of 1190
books and 802S pamphlets, with LOG volumes of
unbound newspapers. The number of books
presented by their authors was unusually large.
| On motion Of Hon. Robert G. Winthrop it was
voted to publish the transactions in the usual
| form.
Robert Clarke, Esq, of Cincinnati. Isaac
! Smucker, ESQ.,, of Newark Ohio, Col. John d.
| Washburn of Worcester, DR.. Henry Wheat
land, of Salem, and Rev. Robert c. Waterston,
| of Boston, were elected members of the society
| by ballot.
Mr.. Salisbury called the attention of the So
| Rumford, and review of his works, by Rev. Geo.
Ellis, D. D., as very valuable addition to sci
entific photography. DIR. Edward Jarvis of Bos-
ton read a carefully prepared and interesting
paper on immigration, and the duration of the
life of foreigners. The meeting Of the society
| was then dissolved