The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-07-05
GLORY OF THE INcAs.
(contLnued from Flfth Page.l

act Of striking two shells as symbals.
1t is on the islands of Lake Titicaea
that there is located the traditional
birthplace of the Inca tribe, and here
We're built several large and imposing
structures, the ruins of which still ex-
ist. Not far distant was located Cuzco,
the chief settlement. The population Of
Cuzco and the valley in which it is sit
uated, according to Mr.. Bandelier. is
said to have numbered between sixty
and seventy thousand. The language
spoken was, and is now, Quicha. The
whole place was built around court
yards or squares, and contained spa
cious buildings, constructed partly of
huge, well cut stones. The roofs, how
ever, were of thatch. Some of the
stones were of such stupendous size
and dimensions as would test the best
skill of the modern contractor to trans
port and put in place. This was ac-
complished by means Of wooden rollers,
ropes and crowbars. In most cases no
mortar was used, the stability of the
building depending on the skill in the
close jointing Of the stone blocks.
AN ENLIGHTENED DEsPOTIsM.
The government of the Incas is said
to have been the most enlightened des-
potism that ever existed. and about the
nearest approach to a Utopia which has
yet been reached by any people. There
was allotted to each man, free of charge,
dwelling site and extended area of
land for him to till and cultivate for
the maintenance Of his family. The
surplus OF products from this tract,
left over from the immediate needs of
the owner, was given as tribute to the
Inca government and used for religious.
charitable and other purpo7es at their
sovereign city of Cuzee. Under their
wise and just civic administration,
crime and public corruption and theft
were not known. In Cuzeo it is stated
that a resident with one hundred and
twenty bars of silver and gold piled UP
/ in his house, left it wide open. only
placing small stick across the door as
sign that the master was out-and
nobody went in. Agriculture was the
chief pursuit followed Cotton, beans,
maize and cocoa were raised by the
coast people On the plateau the do
mastication of the llama and alpaca
was the favorite occupation.
The whole tribe was divided into nu-
merous clans The powers Of adminis
itration centered in the elective dignita-
ries, military leader, and the head of
| the religious system There was also a
council Of chiefs. None Of these offices
were hereditary, and could not be occu-
1fn1fxr
chosen for the position. The success
sion Of the chief Inca did not fall upon
the shoulders Of his child. This was
due to the clan organization, which gov
erned the affairs Of state. inheritance
was BY mother-rigllt man could not
marry a woman of his own clan, but
had to select one from another. This
was the main unit for holding the tribe
together Women had no voice in pub
lie affairs, but ruled supreme in the
home. They were admitted to esoterfc
societies, Of which there were many.
They also practised healing and be-
|cama priestesses. Many complicated
and elaborate ceremonial and religious
rites were observed, and feasts and Of
lferings of some kind were Of almost
daily occurrence, and the preparation
for and observation Of these occupied a
great deal Of the time OF the people.
Contrary to statements hitherto made,
/ the sun was not the chief object of
worship, but the moon, stars. thunder,
lightning and natural objects and phe-
nomena were included in the religious
code. IN Cuzco some forty different
shrines existed.
What height Inca culture might have
reached had 1t been allowed to follow
natural course Of development Is one Of
conjecture and speculation. Judging
from their cyclopean architectural re-
mains, and from the splendid examples
Of their technique, which Is 30 striking
lily displayed in the SPECIMENS obtained,
lit seems most likely that they would
have kept abreast Of the ancient Next
cans.
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