The San Francisco call., 1895-10-12
REV|WNG DEAD HISTORY,
Joseph Goodman'S Scientific
Mission to London,
England.
DR.. Gustav Eisen Says a Californian
Has Deciphered Mayan Hero
glyphics.

Considerable of stir was raised recently
among the friends of Joseph Goodman,
the newspaper man, by the statement COM
ing from London that he had sold
compilation of hieroglyphics to the Brit
ish Museum for 100000. AS Mr. Good
man was known to have been making
very complete investigation of the sign
languages of Mexico and Yucatan, and
particularly the Maya race, his good for
tune was not thought improbable.
Some years ago Professor Gustav Eisen
of the California Academy of Sciences
made trip to Yucatan for the purpose of
studying the Mayan hierogIyphics, and
after returning induced Mr.. Goodman to
go on with him in investigating the char
acters. Both gentlemen co-operated in
their research for about six years, during
which time Mr.. Goodman became deeply
interested and devoted his entire time to
the research, with the result that at the
pres ent day he is further advanced than
any student of the Mayas.
II can easily understand" said Profes-
sor Eisen, in speaking of the matter yes
terday, chow people will become mistaken
in such matters. 1t is impossible for such
| price to have been paid for Mr.. Good
mans compilation of the hieroglypbics, as
there are several others as good as his, and
| they are but mere studies of the originals.
! No one will pay for studies and the rumor
| was doubtless started by some one who
did not understand that. Some months
ago Alfred P. Maudslay, who has spent a
| great deal of time gathering antiquities
and studying hieroglyphics all over Cen
trail America, met Mr.. Goodman here and
induced him to go to London, where they
! could both advance themselves in the sci
ence. Mr.. Maudslay has placed all his
! collection in the museum at South KEN
sington and is associated with the best
museums of England. His opportunities
| for investigation were llmitless, and under
his care Mr.. Goodman went to London.
at is more than probable that. our
friends collection of hieroglyphics will be
published in the Biologia Centro Ameri-
cana, published in London, and that his
own text Will accompany them. [ really
consider his conclusions absolutely with
out flaw. He is the only man among all
those studying Mayan glyphs who has
succeeded IN decipherlng the characters
upon the monuments in Yucatan, and he
has solved the calendar also. Since MIR.
Goodman has gone into the study OF
! hieroglyphics and / have been associated
with him | have made a very close study
of the man, and | honestly think that he
has the most perfect mind of any man
living in the United States. l make that
declaration without hesitancv, as he is
truly marvellous. There is no doubt in my
mind but that he has solved the characters
on the casts taken from Yucatan, and that
| he will add i'm portant information to the
volumes of history of the world. He is
able to read the codices left by the early
Mayas, and doubt if there is another in
dividual living who can do likewise"
Professor Eisen is quite enthusiastic
over Mr.. Goodman's discoveries and looks
forward to the appearance of the publica-
ton containing the information.