New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-10
LECTURE ON ANCIENT MEXICO.
LALLA BALDWIN MORTON GIVES THE
FIRST OF SERIES OF TALKS
DURING LENT

Miss Ialla Baldwin Morton began a ~
lectures on Mexico yesterday morning in the ball
room OF the Waldorf. large audience was pres
ent and the lecture exceedingly instructive
Ancient Mexico" the subject. and Miss Nor
ton SAID in part:
In course % lectures Mexico. embracing
ancient as well as modern history. II Is Impossible
TO 10 more than sketch the ESSAYS cover ground
from prehistoric traditions 20 the hard facts OF
the present day The days Of ancient Mexico form
intensely interesting period especially as there
is activity in the unearihing Of ancient monu-
ments in Mexico to-day than In aay other country
possible.
The Mexico OF the Aztecs Is little known 10 the
average man and woman. There exists n vagie
idea that I'm 1919 the Spaniards discovered CIV
ilizcd empire. governed by Montezuma. and grand
and wonderful cities etc: or that these tales OF
grardeurs were untruihs and that nothing very *
traord.nary In civilization was discovered fhat IL
al But there is much more known and to be
known 10 the student who finds th, ancient CIV
niza;ion interesting and profitable although at
tended with those difficulties which the study OF all
prehistoric peoples presents. Mexico Is the most
important Of all the territory in the New World once
under the authority OF Spain. and Il to-day the
third greatest OF the words republics. wherein So
cie;y and civilization are displayed under some
what abnormal aspects. IL l. extremely difficult 10
eliminate fact from tradition. but even modern
Mexico can boast a century more OF history than
the Northern nations OF America. and the great
wealth Of the soil. climate etc. added 10 the In
telligencc Of the al0rgincs. place the importance
Of the study OF Mexican history beyond question
climate and scenery are unsurpassed for variety ana
contrast by any other region Of equal extent In the
world
aboriginal history l. wrapped In the mist OF
tradition. for comparatively few native manu-
scripts have been preserved to the present time.
1t Is TO be hoped that the explorers OF the day may
soon unearth truths that VIII settle some u the
disputes OF the Mexican psychologists. There II
endless controversy az 10 the extent and degree OF
en- ture found by the Spanaris when they en-
countered the Aztecs. Most critics conc-de the
Pamgue group OF ruins TO represent the Oldest
civilization The country OF the Aziecs was but
a small part OF present Mexico and embraced the
Valley of the Lakes. called the Valley OF Anahuac
meaning by the water" Without doubt. the AZtecs
we're the last tribe to arrive in the valley ana
they came from the north In cohtlhuhI coni.
with the tribe they found already IN possession,
tradition has II that the Aztecs FOUND rst Ing
from the foe In the marshes OF the AK anG tmrr
discovered sacrihciai stone on small island upon
| holding a serpent In its beak. This was thought :
good omen. ana taken AS the Aztec coat o.
arms. The ruins which the ruthless SpanihrdS
have left point 10 wonderful skill and art In aren't
lecture and decoration
thing conceive, unless we see me runs; and
| as specimens OF the Industrial arts the ieather-
work NANTES exceed in beauty any description We
From humble beginnings trace the Aztec
who was so despotic that his people and tributory
! neighbors were only too glad TO wecorne 'or'fz
| when they felt he might deliver them ,
| Miss Morton's second lecture will be on the sub
! iect Of the Conquest Of Mexico" and promises
| 10 be OF special interest. -, ,,,u,
J. j. Valentine Mrs. James H. BenHdict. Mrs. Il
| a Bispham. Edward w Berge. MIS- IS, Bro r.o M n
! Betts Archdeacon George D. Johnson the Rev Or'
Love Or. Daniel 6. Brnton; DIT Aryine: e, Dr
| Anabe Mrs W Irving Clark. Mrs. Van Rensselaer,
| cruger Nelson G. Carman Mrs George e riausen
Mrs Henry Schiefelin Mrs LnI Wt,, lorna n,sr
! Mrs Richard Somers Hayes. Mrs. Fred Hartman
| Mrs Bradsh Johnson. Mrs George Kemp, nown-
| Mrs Francis Payson. Mrs. Clarence whitman
| Colonel Logan Or. Porter and Mrs. Comm