The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-25

script was inclosed is in a fair state
of preservation 1t is of hickory and
the inside is charred. 1t had been
rudely fashioned with A stone AK. But
for the coating of pitch it must have
long since gone to decay and Its prec-
ious contents with it. Accompanying
the relic We're TWO photographs of the
spot on which it was found The
scene is an open prairie, evidently the
extreme suburbs OF the little city. All
doubt is set at rest as to the character
of the relic Its Aztec origin was
speedily determined upon examination
by Professor Moorehead. whose extern
sive researches in archaeology in con-
nection with the Smithsonian lnstitu-
ton at Washington, d. c., makes him
familiar with the signs employed by
this race If their writings. Lest any
suspicion should attach to the genuine
ness of the manuscript a letter was re-
ceived with the latter, signed by a num-
Der of prominent citizens OF Fairfield.
testifying to Mr. Griffith's veracity and
trustworthlness. This is unnecessary,
however, as the relic on the face of it is
what it purports to be. In order to
have perpetrated such a fraud Mr..
Griffith must have been an Aztec schol-
ar There are but three works eXtant
upon this branch of archaeological
science, aid the copies are very rare
and exper sive 1t is unlikely that any
laboring man would have had the
knowledge of the existence OF these
books, let alone access to them. How
ever this point does not need TO be dis
cussed. as imposture is removed be
yond the bounds of possibility.
Many interesting questions are arous-
ed at sight of this fragmentary remind
er of an extinct people. The one that
most naturally suggests itself is in re-
gard to the translation of the strange
characters. What does the writing say?
The most learned scholar is obliged 10
shake his head at this inquiry The
sad fate of an eminent archaeologist of
Philadelphia is recalled. DR.. H D.
Cresson was q graduate of two schools
of medicine and a painter of rare abil-
ity, who had exhibited and won recog-
milton as an artist in Paris He was
also interested in other branches Of
science and art, and was connected
with the Smithsonian Institution at the
time Professor Moorehead was there
The doctor took UP the study Of an
Aztec manuscript and spent years in
the vain attempt to decipher it, Too
close application to the work finally
unbalanced his mind, and while suffer
ing from mental alteration he shot
himself in Central Park, New York, in
1884
Professor MoOrehead will send the
manuscript to the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition and have it passed upon by the
archaeological authorities there. He
does not expect though, that they will
be able to read it, as this feat has not
been accomplished in the case of any
of the other Aztec MANUSCRIPTS in ex-
istence. He believes that the time is
coming, however when they Will give
up their secret. 1t will be remembered
that it has only been within recent
years that scholars have been able to
read the Egyptian hieroglyphics. DR..
Daniel G. Brinton, of the museum of
the University of Pennsylvania. the
greatest living Aztec student. gives it
as his opinion that instead of consist
ing of an alphabet the language is
phonetic, like the Chinese, each char
acter signfying an idea.
A CLEAN Of light is thrown upon the
manuscript in question by Professor
Moorehead. 1t is no doubt OF religious
significance. The circle of spots which
surrounds the human figure is known
to be the sun symbol. The figure is
evidently meant to signify a priest of
the sun or a chief protected by the sun
On the upper fragment is a house-like
figure, which denotes a temple The
semi-circle of spots above it shows that
it is q temple of the sun