The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-05-07
MOST ANCIENT OF MEN.
What the Mexican Expedition Expects /
To Discover in the way Of Antique /
Civilization

Civilization
New York Tribune.
NJ Desire Charnay, WHO has chargcof
the Lorillard expedition 10 Mexico, has
returned from Washington, where he
went for the purpose OF comforting wifi.
the Mexican minister in reference 10 the
probable attitude of his government to-
ward the project. He was found at the
Hotel Brunswick 10y Tribune reporter,
and gave the following facts relative TO
the expedition:
Il have made two previous expeditions
10 Mexico" said NJ. Charnay, between
the years 1857 and 1860. They are de
scribed III my work 'Cisfes ct Ruiaes
AneriedHes' MY attention was called to
this field of research by the remarkable
book of Mr.. Stephens. do not care for
the Aztecs. They are 100 modern, and
many books have been written about
them. But the civilizations we propose
10 unearth are of vast antiquity Some
authorities claim that they are twelve
thousand years old, or that at least they
existed before the lake villages of En-
rope. As for myself, am not able to
assign them any date. We have nothing
now but hypothesis. This much is GER
tain, however, that they are very much
more ancient than the Aztec civiliza-
tions, if such they may be called"
''Do you intend 10 bring any monu-
meDts from Mexico!"
H'fhere has been some misconception
of our purpose in that direction said
NJ. Charnay. I'VE do not propose to
bring anything in the shape of original
monuments away from Mexico. The
government would rot permit us to fol
low that plan even il we wished to incus
the expense. All we seek is 10 obtain
casts OF valuable inscriptions. These
will be taken 10y the process invented
thirty years ago by VI. Lottiu de Laval.
They viii be placed in collection in
i'aris, which, by the authority OF the
French minister of public instruction,
will be called Mousse Lorillard. We
will make very rich collection of pho
tographs illustrating our discoveries"
who has furnished the money for the
expeditions"
"One-third has been advanced by the
French government and two-thirls by
Mr.. Lnriiiard. France will however,
make such further concessions. in other
ways rs 10 make the contributions
equal"
How long do you expect TO be alb
sent2''
1.-TWO years at least There are many
ancient cities to be visited. We shall go
In ONaca, Catapec, Palaugua in the state
VI AlilttIltt ltituCC ~ uCdltEl,
ing 10 pass the country Of LaCandous,
generally hostile to strangers. One year
will he spent in Tucatan, where there is
Il great deal to be done"
"EOu have travelled extensively, hare
You moi :" queried the reporter
Yes, | am an old traveller. In the
pursuit Of the study of anthrOpolOgy,
tihnslogy, and natural history / have
been all over the world; visiting NADIA
gascar, Java, and OUtof tle-waY places
in South America. We are greatly as
sisted by craniometers and other instru-
ments recently devised for taking the
seventy-fivc different measurements. of
, the human frame.
How many will go withyou to Mexi-
co? ~ inquired the reporter
The party will consist only of three
persons, Nj. Lemaire myself, and anotTI-
er not yet chosen, who will be an Amcri-
can. | have had many applications, but
| the right man will be hard to find \
union of diligence, culture and instruc-
| ton, seldom combined in one person,
will be required. The Mexican govern
ment may add to our number when we
reach that country"
How soon will you start?''
'In ten days"
"Have you any agreement with the
| Mexican government?
''NOne whatever. The Mexican MN
lister, whom saw in Washington, SAYS
he hopes there will be no difficulty SO
| far as Mexico is concerned ~