Chapter XIII: The Two American Riddles, 199

Baron Humboldt's caution, 199 Enigmas of the Old World but recently solved, 200 The two extremes of theorists, 201 A medium course, 202 Previous opinions of the author confirmed, 203 Absence of tradition respecting American buildings, 203 Nature and importance of tradition, 204 The Aztecs an imaginative people, 205 Supposed effect of the conquest upon them, 206 The Aztecs not the only builders,--The Toltecs 207 Extensive remains of Toltec architecture,--A dilemma, 208 Character and condition of these ruins, 208 Evidently erected in different ages, 209 Origin of the builders--sceptical philosophies, 210 The solitary tradition, 211 Imaginary difficulties--tropical animals, 212 A new Giant's Causeway, 212 The Aborigines were not one, but many races, 213 No head of the American type found among their sculptural remains, 213 Art an imitation of nature--copies only from life, 214 Inference from the absence of the Indian type, 214 American ruins of Asiatic origin, 215 Migratory habits of the early races of men, 215 Overflowings of the populous north, 215 Conclusion, 216

LIST OF EMBELLISHMENTS.

PAGE.
VIGNETTE TITLE PAGE.

MORO CASTLE, HAVANA. 27

PEAK OF ORIZABA. 90

CASTLE OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA, VERA CRUZ. 91

INDIAN MAN AND WOMAN. 117

FEMALE HEAD. 128

COLOSSAL HEAD. 130

THE AMERICAN SPHINX. 132

CURIOUSLY ORNAMENTED HEAD. 136

A SITUATION. 139

A ROAD SIDE. 140

SEPULCHRAL EFFIGY. 145

A PAIR OF VASES. 150

TRAVELLING BY NIGHT. 161

TALISMANIC PENATES. 164

FRAGMENTS OF IDOLS. 178

RAMBLES BY LAND AND WATER.