Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-29

proNlmattng nearly to that OF CheOps.
There are many smaller mounds and
pyramldal elevations surrounding the
larger ones and lining q roadway called
MlcOath, the Path Of the Dead" or in
the modern dialect, El Gamma de los
Muertes. Most of the tumuh ranged
along both sides Of this wonderful avenue
were originally about p feet high. Anti
quarlans have puzzled themselves more
over these mounds than the larger pyra-
mds, though it would seem that the APP
pellatlon micOati explains their objects.
The long dead builders dedicated them to
the stars and used them AS places of bu-
rial The Mexican arch8Ologist, Senior
/ Cubas, asserts that from some OF these
tumuli human bones have been taken,
ana 1t Is not improbable that many of the
clay heads that are found so protusely
scattered over the plain may be etiigies OF
buried priests and rulers. In his study of
lae place Cubas likens the little river Of
Ieouhuacan to the Nile, and sees a Sec
ond Memphis in this Canine de los Mu-
erteS-iA snort, tnds here duplication Of
the pyramids OF Egypt From these prem
lses he deduces an EgyUtiau contact with
Mexico, and argues that the people VINO
constructed the American monuments, If
they did not come directly from Egypt,
were at least descendants from others to
=
knowledge. Be that as it may. these re
mark0ble etigles are many of them per-
iecuy Egyptian in feature, style and eX-
preston, while others are plainly negro.
All are without bodies. and no two have
ever been found precisely alike, which
seems to suOstantiate the theory that they
were designed as the likenesses Of priests
and prominent people. So abundant are
they, and, happily, the place is so far re-
m cd fnFaV
tourist, that we can scarcely walk over
these fields without treading upon them.
Indeed, gods and goddesses are at dis
count here, and dozens OF them may be
bought Tor few cents Every native
hut has its collection waiting for a pur-
chaser, and the exceed Jngly low price re-
quired 10 sufficient proof that they were
not made to order. Betsy and | believed
we had found corner on gods till later
experience proved that all corners fare as
well. Says recent tourist:
"OuT energies were taxed to the utmost
to keep away the horde of ragged iuven-
lies who appeared vita sacks iull OF CLAY
heads, obsidian knives and curious cand-
clerOs which they insisted upon our buy
Ing. Others nave wondered, as we won
der to-day, at the unlimited supply OF
these antiquities, as the tieids are actual
~ full Of them"
from the summit OF either pyramid
most superb view is obtained OF MANY
nelghbOnng villages, the white towers OF
the City OF Mexico shining in the dis
lance, and the enVirOning mountains
which shut in this cup-like vale of Aua-
hauc. What better place can be found Tor
listening TO tradition OF The ancient in
habitants! An Indian historian, whose
data were chiefly compiled from picture.
writings, states what happened mere to-
ward the destruction Of the TOltec En-
plre. He says tie gods were angry with
the people, and 10 avert
their wrath the Toltecs called
a meeting of all their wise men. priests
and mobiles at the holy city, TeOtihuacan.
where, from ancient times, the gods had
been wont 10 listen TO the prayers OF men.
Ia the midst OF their ieasts and sacrifices
an enormous demon appeared. with bony
arms and long fingers. dancing in the
courts where the people were assembled.
Whlring through the crowd 10 every di-
rectiOn, be seized upon those who came in
his way and dashed them at his feet. A
second time be appeared, and again the
people persisted by thousands in his
clutches. At MS third appearance the
demon assumed the form of a white and
beautiful child, sitting on rock and gaz-
ing at the CITY from neighbCring hill
top. AS the people rushed in crowds to
examine the strange apparition it was
discovered that the beautiful white head
was mass OF corruption, the stencil
from which smOte With death all who an
preached. Finally the dancing demon ap-
peared again, aud informed the terror
stricken Toltecs that their fate as ma
ton was scaled, and that the remnant
could escape destruction only by hignt,