were ascending from the outside of the terraces, and thence to the holy places within to pay their adoration in the Temple.

"Within this enclosure are two rectangular courtyards, having ranges of steps ascending to terraces. The area of each is about forty feet from the river. On one side at the foot of the pyramidal wall is another monument or idol. [i. e. sculptured obelisk]. It is about the same height as the others (in all fourteen), but differs in shape, being larger at top than below. Its appearance and character are tasteful and pleasing."

We desire to call the particular attention of the reader to the following piece of sculpture, as it will hold a conspicuous position as we advance in this volume.

"Near this [idol last mentioned] is a remarkable altar, which perhaps presents as curious a subject for speculation as any monument at Copan. The altars, like the idols, are all of a single block of stone. In general, they are not so richly ornamented, and are more faded and worn, or covered with moss. All differed in fashion, and doubtless had some distinct and peculiar reference to the idols before which they stood."

Each of the idols, therefore, had an altar before it, and each of the altars had its relative idol, except the one about to be described.

"This altar stands on four globes (?) cut out of the

same stone: the sculpture is in bas-relief, and it is the only specimen of that kind of sculpture found at Copan, all the rest being in bold alto-relievo."

By a reference to the map for its locality, we find that it is situated nearly in the very centre of the vast Temple. This, together with its being alone, unassociated with an Idol-the sculpture being entirely different, and "the only specimen" found there, all the others being in alto, but this in basso-(a proof of its greater antiquity)- the very stone seems to find a voice to proclaim that it was the Chief Altar of Copan. It may be " a curious subject," but certainly does not require much "speculation" to form a conclusion. The description of the detail of the sculpture seems to furnish another reason for believing it to be the principal Altar.

"It is six feet square, and four feet high; and the top is divided into thirty-six tablets [or squares] of hieroglyphics, which beyond doubt record some EVENT in the history of the mysterious people who once inhabited the city."

This we distinctly believe; and that the sculpture about to be described, TRANSLATES THE HIEROGLYPHICS, and those being translated, the " event in the history" is then arrived at. Whether we have accomplished this or not, the reader will judge as he proceeds,-for we have looked upon this Chief Altar as the "Rosettastone" of the ruins-the Key-stone in the arch of mystery.

"Each side of the altar represents four individuals.

On the West-side are the two principal personages, chiefs, or warriors, with their faces opposite to each other, and apparently engaged in argument or negotiation. The other fourteen (figures) are divided into two equal parties, and seem to be following their leaders. Each of the two principal figures is seated crosslegged, in the Oriental fashion, on an hieroglyphic, which probably designated his name and office, or character; and on two of which the Serpent forms part."

The description reads "three," the engraving shews only two Serpents; the later will be received as correct, from the accuracy ascribed to the drawings by Mr. Stephens, and already quoted.

"Between the two principal personages, is a remarkable cartouche, containing two hieroglyphics, well preserved, which reminded us strongly of the Egyptian method of giving the names of the kings and heroes in whose honour monuments were erected. The headdresses are remarkable for their curious and complicated form. The figures have all breastplates, and one of the two principal characters holds in his hand an instrument, which perhaps may be considered a sceptre,—each of the others holds an object, which can be only (?) a subject for speculation and conjecture."

We believe them to be (judging from the engravings) spiral shells; the application will be found in the important chapter devoted to the Analogies.

"It [the "object"] may be a weapon of war, and if so, it is the only thing of the kind found at Copan. In

other countries, battle scenes, warriors, and weapons of war are among the most prominent subjects of sculpture; and from the entire absence of them here, there is reason to believe, that the people were not warlike, but peaceable and easily subdued."

Are not the Sculptures, the Idols, and Altars, the ornaments of a Temple?-and as a consequence, should be devoid of the weapons of war. A false conclusion is arrived at by Mr. Stephens, when, from the absence of battle-axes, shields, and helms, in a Religious Temple, it must follow as a necessity, that those worshipping there, must be devoid of courage. Our own Altars might be so regarded if his reasoning was admitted, yet few persons would have the temerity to say, because the Christian Altars are devoid of warlike weapons, that the Anglo-Saxon race are "easily subdued."

The hands that built those Temples on the Western Continent, could also defend them. The military position and strength of Copan, prove the builders to be of a race far from cowards, and not easily to be conquered. In these remarks we would not confound the previous distinction drawn between the courage of these Aborigines and those of the North. The Mexicans were courageous in quick assault, but had not the indomitable endurance and persevering fortitude of the Northerns.

Enough has been quoted concerning the ruins of Copan; yet it should be stated, that among those

ruins was found a sculptured Tortoise,-this will be referred to in the Analogies.

As a summary of the ruins of Copan, they are of sculptured stone, with the absence of stucco; but pyramidal structures and bases; no circular columns, but square or four-sided obelisks, or Idols; Sculptured Altars; flights of steps forming pyramidal slopes, but only on three sides, excepting in one instance, and all these bearing distinct testimony of having been painted or dyed with "a red colour;" a perpendicular wall nearly one hundred feet in height; and the sculpture is not only rich in detail, but finely executed. At Copan there is no vestige of wooden beams or lintels in or about the ruins, and no appearance of a roof of any description. The arch is no where found, or any thing indicating that its principle was known to the Copanians.

The absence of all metal is another singular feature. The quarry from whence the stone was taken, is about two miles distant from the Temple; and the supposition of Mr. Stephens seems probable-viz., that from the discovery of flint-stone, and of the hardest description, the softer stone composing the Altars and Idols, was cut with this flint in lieu of metal. Every thing seems to denote the great antiquity of these ruins over those of any of the other Cities; for it will be shewn that they had a knowledge of the use of metal, and that they had found it. At Ocosingo there is a wooden beam, and at Palenque; and at Uxmal, all the lintels