New-York tribune., 1875-05-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
eANCROFTS CIVILIZED NATlO>,S OF TIE
PACIFIC STATES.

NORTH AMERlCA. s,,n by n. 'kRG HOWE bANShof1' sNS
Appleton Co.
The essay on Savage an and Civilization with
~b;ch the present vOl.ime of Mr.. Bancrofts ethno-
l,cical researches IS introduced is of so purely
peculative character hardly to be in keeping with
ehc exposition Of facts which forms the substance OF
che remainder of the work. Mr.. Bancroft under
takes to apply the principles of the modern evolution
philosophy to the development of civilized society
hut neither his conclusions are so firm and precise
his reasonings so profound his language so lucid
and exact as would be required for the successful
solution of the problem. The theory which he main
tains may be stated in brief outline. Every phase
Of development is the result of social evolution
The transient races of men receive their stamp from
Abe society into which il was their LOT 10 be bofn
and in return give back to the general fund their
own quota of force This process perpetualiy re-
heats itself The measure of experience and knowi-
edge seems 10 he full But the end is not yet Man.
hind will never cease to improve until time shall no
longer exist. The laws which govern this movement
are in state of unceasing evolution forcing them
selves upon the mind it gains ability for their re-
scpton. But the nature of these laws cannot at
present be understood Their subtle workings,
which are manifest in every aspect of society con-
stute the soul of progress, but as yet surpaSs INC
comprehension of the keenest human intellect.
From this cloudland of uncertain theory, in which
neither the author nor his readers find themselves
fully at home, it is pleasant 10 turn TO the scld
ground on which a plain and attractive path has
been marked out by almost incredible enterprise and
industry The civilization of the tabe-lands of Mex
ico and Central America 10 which this volume is de-
voted is traced back to period OF several centuries
prior 10 the Spanish conquest. The materials Tor
the research are found partly in the character of the
descendants of the Aztec and Maya, who still ex-
l., l.4 c,,,r,+ tlor, fln
rowing child Of the wilderness who boasts only OF
Savage ancestry and partly in the antiquarian mon
umcnts which invest the subject with yet grander
proportions Piles of architectural remains scat
tered over the Southern plateauX. The native ira
dltons both oral and hieroglyphc, carry the stu
dent far back into the mysterious New World OF the
past. All these relics indicate higher type OF cul-
ture than that which presented to the invaders,
and which affords a pregnant illustration of the in
feror civilization of the sixteenth century, de-
scrbcd by the Spanish cOnQuerors and historians.
Although there are evident marks of similarity In
nearly all the remains of the aboriginal American
civilization it may properly be referred to two lead
ing branches, the Maya and the Nahua the former
Che more ancient, the latter the widespread.
OF all the languages spoken among these nations,
the two named are of the widest extent, but
tirey distinct In their traditional history, their
material relic 5, their hieroglyphicS as well as in
their less important characteristics the two stocks
show such clear points Of difference as point out
either separate culture from the beginning, or a
progress in different directions for long time prior
70 the coming of the Europeans. The Maya people
are regarded among the most ancient In all the
Central American region, the Nahua is an older des-
ignation than either Aztec or ToteC, both of which
stocks included in the The civilization of
the present Mexican Republic, north of Tehuante-
III, ,lo NaI h,o,, ,oh hath 4ba
time of the conquest and throughout the preceding
historic period. Very few traces of the Maya ele-
ment occur north of Chiapas, and these are chiefly
linguistic The Aztecs usually considered by
writers on ethuOlOgy as the representatives, of the
Nahua element but according to Mr.. Bancroft, they
were in fact only the most powerful of league of
Shree nations which in tho sixteenth century ruled
Central Mexico from their capitals in the valley.
The po1np and circumstance which surrounded the
Aztec monarchs, as described by Mr. Bancroft, ana
the magnfcence of their daily lie presented singu
larly impressive spectacle. From the moment of Lis
coronation, the Aztec sovereign lived in an atnoS-
phere of adulat.on unknown to the uightiest poten
tate of the old world. The haughtieot MOBILES hum
blcd themselves before him, and tho fate of
thousands depended on gesture OF his hand. The
royal household was conducted on a scale of almost
Incredible maqniGcence 1t is difficult to disn yuish
trnth from faSehood in the rectas of the early his
torans but hey all agree in representing the intocT
uble splendors which prevailed in the regal abodes.
The principal palace in the city Of Mexico r
regular pile Of low buildings enormous IN extent con
common TO that country cemened with mortar The
Iangement OF the buildings such that tfey nclosfd
tu fountain incessantly played Twenty great c0ors
opened the squares and on me streets an oytr these
Te Gag S gd ear m of Of m@cn % and one
eu "A
known the AnOny mOds C0nqucrOr, 60 nave been OF
sufficient extent to contain three thousand men While
upon the that formed its roof thirty men on
horseback could have gone through the spear exercise
In addition TO these there were more than one hundred
smaller rooms, AMI the same nunucr Of marble baths
which together with the fountains, pOnd and basins in
The gardens supplied with watel from the neighbo
Df apartments Tcd for the Of the kings of Tezcuco
Moxico, ana tic ministers and counseoIs and the
The capital BESIDES these the private attendants OF the
klngnd their name vas Iegon-had 10 be provided for
snch the harem in which. according TO some authOr
ties, nearly three thousand women; the armory
which either formed part or we're in the immediate
vicinity OF the palace buildings VIC are prepared some
what credit The Anonymous CCnqucruT aforesaid when
ne afirns that, although he four times wandered about
The palace until he waS tired Win no other purpose ti.n
whole Of H. The walls and floors OF lns and apartments
many Of them faced with polished slabs of marble
porphyry. jasper, Obsidan, and white eCali lofty col
Gmns OF the fine stones supported marble balconies
and poriicoes every niche and corner OF which filled
with wondrois ornamental carving. held IL grinnng,
grotesluely scuptured head. The beams and castings
were oi cedar. cy press and other valuable woods.
fsely carved aud put together without nails The roofs
of the palace buildings formed suite OF immense ter
races, from which magnificent view OF tie whole city
could obtained superb mats or most exquisite finish
spread upon the marble floors; the tapestry that
<raped he walls and the curtains that hung before the
windows made OF fabric most wonderful for its
delicate texture elegant designs and brilliant coloIs
Through the halls and corridors thousand golden cen
eers, in which burned precious spices and perfumes,
diHnscd subtle OdOr.
The palace built by one of the unpronounceable
q Il, g