The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1910-07-14

lens which have for years been the despair Of
the historian. In fact. MEXICO may today very
properly claim the title OF The Egypt Of Amer
lea Why. indeed. should the srehaeologist 20 10
Egypt. when Mexico offers 10 him such rieh and
ineKhsustible heids Militia Monte Allan. Palen
cue. Ssu Juan De Teotihuscan. the ruins OF Tx
nal. and OF Gin Chen ItEE IA Yucatan and many
others which are Just being uneartheds
The museum located az the national capital is
generally the first place sought out by the thou
sands Of tourists who pour into the country each
year. And II is wen worth a visit for 81 offers
tain things which other museum In the world
could offer 10 the eyes Of the curious
The best brief sketch OF It's history IS given by
its director Lie Genaro Garcia. himself notable
historian and archaeologist. IN tho introduction
OF volume !. No. l. OF the Annals Of the National
Museum Of Archaeology. History and EthnolOgy"
a most ereditable publication which Is issued
monthly by the institution. under the direct super
vision OF Lie Garcia In speaking Of the founda-
ton OF the museum which he has brought up TO
such ereditable standard. Lie Garcia says:
Under the Spanish domination there existed
only small collection OF antiquities In Mexico.
consisting. for the greater part. Of the eodsxes
and native manuscripts which a cavalier Of Milan.
Italy. Don LORENZO de Boturini Benaduci. Ssnor
de IL Tore Homo. had been able to collect al
the cost 10 unhearA-of sacrifices. and which were
conhscRted IN the most unjust manner by the
vice-regal government in l743 These antiquities
were first KEEP; IN the Once ct the yiceroys secre
tAry and sftsrWsrd In the library OF the Royal
and Pontihca University o. Mexico, where they
were taken by order Of His EXcellenoy Antonio
Maria de Buosreli Ursua. vfceroy OF New Spain
In one and another place they were greatly dam
aged by neglect. humidity rats and rhefts.
Upon the contamination Of MeKicos indepen-
denoe the national government not only directed
that The existing antiquities be kept al the same
university. hut assigned in addition. the sum Of
slss2 l real and ] -grsno," for the salaries OF a
directing professor OF botany gardener. and the
expenses Of the garden
When this appropriation vas made the gov
ernment did not yet have IN mind the establish
ment OF a national museum which. according 10
Gen Lucas AlAman, then secretary OF state and
foreign relations, in a memorial presented 10 CON
gress on January IL. 1925. be matter for
the future Notwithstanding all this Don Sebas-
tian Csmaeho. successor 10 General AlamEn
nounced 70 congress during the latter part OF the
sane year that the National museum had been
established, under the most happy auspices. with
a keeper inrusted with its arrangement safety.
and development" and With many projects for
scientific trips. discoveries excavations and
Other operations" which we're never made. The
museum. therefore. had 10 other end than that
a. f5e conservation Of a few Antiquities unclEs-
sifed. and ip generally bad shape.
The museum proper had its birth by virtue o;
the decree Of November y. which ordered fits for
mai creation and It's division into THREE branches
antiquities. products of natural history and In
dusiry. and botanical garden
The chief executive Of the republic proceeded
al Sncs 10 The Organization of the museum in ze-
cord&noe N1th the foregoing decree. and appointed
members Of The directive board Messrs- Fable
De Ia Lave. lsidro Ignzcio IeAzs. Miguel Busta-
nsnte. Jose Mariana Sanchez Mora. IgnsciO Gu