Chapter XVI: Section 3: , of the Analogies, we will establish from Scriptural History

the early Architecture (as to its style) of the ancient Tyrians.

The Ruins in Ancient America (and by that term we mean _anterior_ to the re-discovery by Columbus) do indeed "stand alone:"--a "new order" to the modern eye they may be--but over _two thousand years ago_, the "order" might have been termed the _Egypto-Tyrian_:--and reason, research, and analogies of Religious and National Customs, will prove that the name now given to this newly-discovered _ancient_ order is correct;--and that the moderns may not only repeat the term, but, even aid the Science of Architecture, by the application of the rules and principles of utility and solidity, now discovered in the Western Hemisphere!

Our review of his "conclusions" has advanced sufficiently far for our purpose; for it must be evident that a complete refutation of his deductions has been given, and founded upon his own descriptions, and illustrations,--apart from Baron Humboldt's and Waldeck's works, or any humble commentaries of our own. It will naturally be asked--"What could have been the _motive_ of such contradiction, and against himself?" A hidden motive has more than once been hinted at in the foregoing pages. O! love of Country! how inherent is thy power in the human mind!--but, never before was it exerted to the same extent as by our favourite Traveller, as evinced in the motive for rejecting all Nations--_except his own_, as claimants for the builders of Copan, and her muralled companions of the Western Continent.

Talk of the Dacii, and the Curtius, impaling themselves upon the spears of the enemy, or plunging into a gulph to close it,--why, our devoted Traveller does more than all this--for he _survives_ the shock and fall!

The devotional lines _unfolding_ the long concealed _motive_ for rejecting all other Nations, must not be withheld, he writes--

"I invite to this subject the special attention of those familiar with the Arts of other countries;--for, unless I am wrong, we have a _conclusion_ far more _interesting and wonderful_ than that of connecting the builders of these cities with the Egyptians, or _any other people_. _It is the Spectacle of_ A PEOPLE _skilled in Architecture, Sculpture, and Drawing, and beyond doubt, other more perishable arts; and possessing the cultivation and refinement attendant upon these_,--NOT DERIVED FROM THE OLD WORLD, _but_ ORIGINATING AND GROWING _up here_, [America] _without models or masters,--having a distinct, separate, independent existence_:--LIKE THE PLANTS AND FRUITS OF THE SOIL--INDIGENOUS!"

Temples and Pyramids defend your rights! Pericles and Phidias protect the Arts!--for in the Western Continent, without "models or masters,"--Edifices, Architects, and Sculptors, as "plants and fruit"--or like--

"Foul deeds _will rise_,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them to men's eyes!"

He brings forward different Nations to _father_ the Architecture in Ancient America,--he calls for "spirits from the vasty deep;" but they will not come,--he calls to the Hindu, Chinese, and Japanese, to claim the Child,--they reject it. Europe does the same.--Greece is not claimed,--although the meander border is on the Sculptured drapery of the offspring. It must then belong to Asia!--No?--well then certainly to the great Nation of Africa--Egypt!--what! the negative again?--the writ to find the Parent is about to be returned endorsed _non est inventus_, and the Architectural Child to be declared fatherless,--for he passes by the only Nation of all others that should have been selected,--from their means of accomplishing the migration,--their knowledge of art,--skill in imitation,--their neighbourhood and communion with Egypt,--every circumstance proclaims--Tyrus:--but,--no, --this would not answer the purpose of the fascinating Traveller,--his "conclusion" had a peculiar end in view,--something National,--and with that love of country so conspicuous (God be praised!) in the Anglo-Saxon race, he discards Europe, Asia, and Africa as the Builders,--to him there is a nobler idea,--that the Temples, Palaces, and Altars,--Priests, Kings, and People,--Architects, Sculptors, and Painters belonged _to America only_,--that they were as the "plants" "indigenous to the Soil,"--or, that they sprung like Minerva, ready armed and equipped, as the law of art directs, from the mental citadel of Jove himself!

His "conclusion," which gives no distant antiquity to these Ruins (but which is absolutely apparent), is somewhat in analogy with that which may be supposed to have been offered to a travelling Astronomer, by a homestead-loving Cottager,--who declared that the Moon could not be _ancient_ and _inhabited_, because the _freshness_ would prevent both propositions. "Freshness! How so, my good woman?" asked the Newtonian disciple. "How so!" she replied. "How wise you gentlemen with long telescopes are!--how so?--why because there is a NEW _moon every month_, and, consequently, there would not be time enough for people to be born,--or if they were to grow up like 'plants,' they would be cut down every month!--and consequently they could not be _ancient_,--any how!" But to be serious.--Our just pride of native land! England,--as expressed in "The First Oration upon the Life, Character, and Genius of Shakspeare,"[5] and our impartial love (as a Citizen of the United States) for the Nation claiming Washington as its founder, is too well known and recorded in our humble Oration upon her History and Independence,[6]--and in public debate, discourses, and speeches, both in England and America;--together with the feelings of duty;--and gratitude founded upon hospitality and the Medallic presentations received in both Countries, to admit even of a question, as to our resolution to uphold their glory and amity, at home or abroad,--and that without fear or favour, from foe or friend! It was _the very spirit of that love_ for the country, which has graced us by its Citizenship, that led us to detect the erroneous "conclusions" of Mr. Stephens in reference to these Ruins:--for the errors must be evident even to himself, should these fervent but honest pages, ever meet his perusal;--and appreciating as we do, the valuable and interesting volumes he has given to the Library of "Travels,"--good nature,--knowledge of the Arts,--united with a justifiable, and a necessary independence, called forth by the importance of the subject,--have been the only means employed by us in criticising his work.

[5] Pronounced at Stratford-upon-Avon, England, before, and at the
invitation of the Royal Shaksperean Institution, April 23, 1836.

[6] Pronounced in the Capital of Virginia, U. S. A., at the
invitation of the Franklin Society, and before the Municipal
Authorities, July 4, 1840.

In his last chapters, he seems to have forgotten what he had written in his descriptions of the Ruins: and that his "Conclusion" was a sudden thought,--and, as proved, not founded upon that which preceded. It could not be otherwise, for

"A change came o'er the spirit of _his_ dream!"

It is scarcely a question, whether he adds to the fame of America so much, by making the Architects and the Mexican Aborigines to rise up, as "indigenous" to the land, and thence directly _opposing the Bible_,--the first Parents, and the Diluvian Ancestors,--as if he had traced, and proved them to be from scientific and accomplished Tyrus,--or those of the North, from "chosen" and courageous Israel, and following on their track--to trace principles derived from an Apostle of Christianity, together with the fulfilment of the words of a Sacred Prophet!

This question cannot contemplate the fame of the United-States,--either as a Nation or a People,--although it does that of the Western Hemisphere generally;--that of the Republic is consolidated with the essential spirit and glory of the Anglo-Saxon and the Norman race, and consequently has no association with the great Tyrian family, or that of Israel,--although all the Nations of the Western Continent feel the serene influence of the heaven-born power--Christianity. That Faith (if we err not) was introduced into the Western Hemisphere more than _five centuries_ before St. Augustine preached it in England.

In volume ii. (p. 442), Mr. Stephens expresses himself in the following ingenuous manner,--_after_ he had formed his "conclusion," and which at once proves, by his own words, that he did not sufficiently investigate his subject. He writes--

"_I shall not attempt to inquire into the Origin of this people,--from what country they came,--or when, or how!_"

With diligence and perseverance for our guides, we have for years pursued the clue to this historical labyrinth, and when the end is reached, we believe that the _nation_, the _time_, and the _means_ will be firmly established! In regard to the first proposition, we conclude this chapter by recording the new, and apparent fact, founded upon descriptions which we have artistically analyzed, together with the Analogies in the following pages,--and beyond all, by the Bible itself (as shewn in the next chapter), that the _Architecture_ of the Ruins of Ancient America is EGYPTO-TYRIAN,--and that the original builders were from TYRUS, and at a period now distant more than two thousand years!

The subsequent proofs that will enable us firmly to establish this proposition, will also announce the startling fact of another accomplishment,--or fulfilment,--of a sacred and quintuple Prophecy by ISAIAH!--and consequently we shall claim that Prophecy, as unimpeachable evidence of the truth of the historical proposition of this Work.

This novel application of Prophecies by Isaiah concerning Tyrus, will be discussed in the Second Book of this Volume,--and in the concluding Chapters of which, it will be employed as an absolute refutation of Atheistical writings.

ROBERTSON'S HISTORY OF AMERICA.

A few words are required in reference to Dr. Robertson's History of America. It was the present writer's original intention to have formed a chapter upon that Historian's conclusions, in regard to the absence of civilization by the Aborigines of the Western Continent,--or rather that portion contemplated by Spanish history: but upon reflection, it was considered unjust to his memory and well-merited fame, to prove those conclusions were erroneous and false,--for Robertson and the age in which he wrote (1770-80), were in total ignorance of the existence of the now celebrated Temples of Copan, Palenque, and Uxmal, and the many Cities of ancient days newly discovered in the Western Hemisphere. Refutation is unrequired by argument, when the basis of conclusions is founded in ignorance of all the premises necessary to sustain the superstructure:--his conclusions must, therefore, necessarily fall to the ground,--and consequently his Volumes upon America cannot now be received either in the library or academy--(as far as concerns the Aborigines, their works, or their ancestors)--as the standard History of that Continent.

CHAPTER VII.

THE RELIGIOUS AND NATIONAL ANALOGIES BETWEEN THE TYRIANS AND
MEXICAN ABORIGINES--THE TRADITIONS OF THE LATTER, &c.