over six feet in length, with a proportional width, and rested upon a huge block of concrete sand-stone. The back was correctly and artistically wrought, displaying the exact form and all the scale lines of the turtle in good proportion. There were also in many parts, distinctly visible, fainter lines to show that the peculiar arabesque of that ornamental shield had not been overlooked by the artist.

"All the other parts were equally true to nature. It was much broken and mutilated, especially the human protuberance; but not sufficiently so to destroy the evidences of the skill with which it had been designed, and of the masterly workmanship with which it had been wrought. This head must originally have been an unusually fine specimen of ancient American art. Like all the others found in this region, it has the Caucasian outline and contour, and in its finish and expression is strongly marked with the unmistakeable impress of genius. It is rare among these works to meet with an entire head like this. They are generally half buried in the rock from which they were hewn, as if designated to be placed in some very conspicuous position, in the façade or interior wall of a building. This work gives the head complete, and the posterior developements of the cranium, as the phrenologist would say, are those of an intellectual and moral cast-that is to say, they are quite subordinate to the frontal developements. The forehead was originally high and broad, though the mutilated appearance of the upper part, as given in the plate, would leave a different impression. The nose, as far as it remains, is beautifully shaped and finely chiselled, as are also the lips, the chin and the ears.

The probable history and design of the 'American Sphinx -for such I have taken the liberty to name it-will, I trust, he made a matter of more sober and successful inquiry by some future traveller, more skilled than I can profess to be in antiquarian researches. It is an ample field, strewn on every side with subjects of the deepest interest. And he who shall first, by means of these only records that remain, scattered, disconnected, and crumbling into hopeless decay, decipher some legible tale of probability, and unravel a leading clue to the history of these inexplicable relics, will win and deserve the admiring gratitude of all who were curious to investigate the ever changing aspects of human society.

I had scarcely met with any thing in all my rambles inore full of interest than the field I was now exploring, and I never so much regretted being alone. For a well read antiquarian to talk with-for a curioso in hieroglyphical lore to trace out the mystic lines, and give an intelligent signification to the grotesque images about me-I would have given my last naravedi and the better half of my humble stock of provisions. Frag

ments of various kinds and of every size and form lay scattered around me on every side, in the immediate vicinity of this American Sphinx,' affording in their shapes, though mutilated and imperfect, and in the lines of sculpture still traceable upon many of them, satisfactory prima facie evidence of having once composed the ornamental decorations of immense and splendid edifices which now lay in utter ruins at my feet.

The place where I stood had evidently been the site of a very large city, thronged with busy multitudes of human beings, whose minds were cultivated and refined, whose hearts throbbed with human affections and human hopes, and who doubtless dreamed, as we do, that neir works would make their names immortal. But where are they? A thousand echoes from the hills and walls around answer-where ?"

Travelling in the midst of wonders he arrived at Panuco.

"Several days were employed in exploring this neighborhood, our toils being lightened occasionally by the discovery of things new and strange. Among the rest there was one which I deem a very remarkable curiosityso much so that I shall satisfy myself with presenting that to the reader as the sole representative of the ruins of this interesting spot. It was a handsome block or slab of stone, measuring seven feet in length, with an average of nearly two and a half in width, and one foot in thickness. Upon its face was beautifully wrought in bold relief the full length figure of a man, in a loose robe, with a girdle about his loins, his arms crossed on his breast, his head encased in a close cap or casque, resembling the Roman helmet (as represented in the etchings of Pinelli,) without the crest, and his feet and ankles bound with the ties of sandals.

The edges of this block were ornamented with a plain raised border, about an inch and a half square, making a very neat and appropriate finish to the whole. The execu tion was equal to that of the very best that I have seen among the wonderful relics of this country, and would reflect no discredit upon the artists of the old world. Indeed I doubt not that the discovery of such a relie among the ruined cities of Italy and Egypt, would send a thrill of unwonted delight and surprise through all the marvel-hunting circles and literary clubs of Europe, and make the fortune of the discoverer. The figure is that of a tall, muscular man, of the finest proportions. The face in all its features is of the noblest of the European or Caucasian race. The robe is represented as made with full sleeves, and, falling a little below the knees, exposes the fiue proportions of the lower limbs.

"This block, which I regarded with unusual interest, and would by all means have brought away with me, if it had been in my power, I found lying on the side of a ravine, partially resting upon the dilapidated walls,

of an ancient sepulchre, of which nothing now remains but a loose pile of hewn stones. It was somewhat more than four feet below the present surface of the ground, and was Drought to light in the course of excavations, having accidentally discovered a corner of the slab, and the loose stones about it, which were laid open by the rnsh of waters in the rainy season, breaking out a new and deep channel to the river. The earth that lay upon it was not an artificial covering. It bore every evidence of being the natural accumulation of time; and a very long course of years must have been requisite to give it so deep a burial.

"I caused the stone to be raised, and placed in a good position for drawing. The engraving on the opposite page is a correct and faithful sketch of this wonder of ancient American art, as I left it. Those of my readers who have visited Europe, will not fail to notice a resemblance between this and the stones that cover the tombs of the Knights Templar, in some of the ancient churches of the old world. It must not be supposed, however strongly the prima facie evidence of the case may seem to favor the conjecture, that this resemblance affords any conclusive proof that the work is of European origin or of modern date. The material is the same as that of all the buildings and works of art in this vicinity, and the style and workmanship are those of the great unknown artists of the western hemisphere.

"Accord ng to Gomara, it was customary with the ancient Americans to place the figure of a deceased King on the chest,' in which his ashes were deposited. Is it im probable, when we take into view the progress which the arts has made among these unknown nations, as evinced by the ruins I have recently visited, and others scattered over all this region, that this chest was sometimes, nay, generally, of stone?-that it was, in fact, in the language of oriental antiquity, a sarcophagus? And is it not possible that the tablet which I have here brought to light is that of one of the monarchs of that unknown race by whom all these works were constructed? I am strongly of opinion that it is so, and that a further and deeper exploration in the saine vicinity would discover other relics of the same kind, and open to the view of the explorer the royal cemetery of one of the powerful nations of Anahuac."

He thinks, that from the evidence presented in this part of his work, we would be justified in concluding that the people to whom they appertained, had derived their origin from Eastern or North-Eastern Asia. This conclusion, though constructed on materials which would not fully sustain the theory, is interesting and important from the circumstance, that it is in precise accordance with the opinions of Professors RASH and ERMAER, which were based upon extensive researches into the analogies of the languages of these two remotely separated

regions. We cannot conclude this notice, without congratulating the author upon the able fulfilment of the duty he owed his country, of making public his interesting researches. The work cannot fail to attain to a popularity at least equal to that of the author's previous "Rambles in Yucatan."

ARRIVAL OF THE HIBERNIA. Failure of the Whigs to form a MinistryReturn of Sir Robert Peel to the Cabinet.

The Whigs have utterly failed to form a Cabinet, add Sir Robert Pell and his colleagues, with two exceptions, are re-instated. The Whigs, in their failure to carry on the Government, received very little sympathy from the British public, while the return of the Peel administration has been the cause of an immediate reaction in all branches of business. The money market at once became easier, stocks rose, and a general feeling of confidence was given by all classes. The Whig Cabinet was in all respects the old Melbourne Ministry over again, and its successful re-organization was only prevented by the obstinacy of Lord Grey, who refused to join it. Lord Palmerston was made Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Wilmer and Smith remarks:

"When Lord John Russell threw up his card there was no alternative but to send for Peel, aud the most extraordinary move in this drama of Cabinet-making is, that he felt as little apparent hesitation in resuming his old office, as he evinced promptness in throwing it up. His resumption of power immediately made itself felt in every branch of trade.Confidence, which had been shattered by the railway panic, because paralyzed when it was known that Peel was out; the markets fell, the funds sunk, business was suspended, and a gloom, a mist, hung over the commercial and trading world. These evils are fast subsiding with the causes which called them into existence. Upwards of ten days have elapsed since it becaine known that Peel was again Premier and every day has shown improved symptoms in the produce, share, money and other markets. This change appears the more extraordinary from the fact that his future policy is as much a matter of speculation as the new comet-even more undefined, undeveloped. Nobody knows what Peel will do, but every one has confidence in Peel-a singular proof of the hold which one powerful mind has over the sympathies and the prospects of millions of people. The London Examiner wittingly observes in reference to the prevaing feeling, "The beauty of the present juncture is, that nobody knows what Sir Robert Peel is going to do, and yet every body is satisfied that he is the man to do nobody knows what."

The new ministry under Sir Robert Peel is thus officially announced by the Standard. Sir Robert Peel, First Lord of the Treasury, &c.

"Twenty gold crowns are offered in Rome, For the head of the outlaw-and see he is down!

Beppo, the brave, without a groan,
His back against a rock has thrown
Of the Appenines

But there's not a man, that visage brown
That dares to face, with its awful frown;
For a desperate moment gleams his sword,
Then he falls in death without a word;
And a renegade priest is asking grace,
With cross and beads, and his sullen face
Turn'd the other way."

These lines we hastily wrote, some years ago, in an interrupted attempt to translate some spirited lines, by a French poet, on the death of one of the Pope's banditi.We had but recently been on the spot long celebrated by their depredations, and had passed along the coast of Terracina in a time of revolution and war.

There are two classes of mountain robbers in Italy, or rather three-that is of persons who sometimes go by the name of bandits. First, those who are so by profession; next, their friends and neighbors, who, through love or fear, sometimes aid or conceal them; and last, outlaws, who resort to their fastnesses, and sometimes to their society for refuge, when driven from their homes in the city or country. Many of these last, especially in our day, are

among the most intelligent, patriotic, highspirited, well-educated and even of the noble families of Italy. After the late insurrections, particularly that of Rimini, numbers of the flower of the Italian youth were implicated, and fled to the mountains when overpowered by the foreign troops. The pope proclaimed them banditti, and this name was re-echoed by some writers in the United States, who advocate his false and barbarous government; but the Grand Duke of Tuscany showed his opinion of their character, by refusing to betray the confidence they reposed in him by seeking refuge in his territory, and even by sending them safe to France. In fact, the greatest robbers of Italy inhabit the cities, and by arrogant claims on the poor victims of their oppressive system, wring the life-blood from the country, and millions from other lands.

Our print gives a very just idea of the figure, dress, and whole appearance of a bandit, in his gala dress. There is something in the air which reminds us of the men we met in the solitary and gloomy regions of Terracina, after passing on foot and alone, over as much of the ill-reputed territory of Fondi as seemed prudent. Marks of a recent bullet hole through a centry-box, tales of robbery committed the preceding night, and the skull of a malefactor exposed in a box in the public square, impressed the subject deeply on the mind.

We have before given (see page 601,) a print of an Ashantee Warrior, with a brief account of the costume which an army of that nation displayed in the presence of the British expedition, sent to visit them a few years ago. Our present drawing gives a more just idea of the variety of war dresses, arms, and caparisons in use, in that and some of the other military tribes of Western Africa. The following passage from Professor Jameson, gives a brief but interesting sketch of the history of the Ashantees, so far as it has been known in Europe.

This people were first mentioned in the beginning of last century, under the name of Assente or Asienti, and as constituting a great kingdom in the interior,-the same that was described to Mr. Lucas, at Tripoli, as the ultimate destination of those caravans which, proceeding from that city, measure the breadth of Africa. Being separated from the maritime districts, however, by Aquamboc, Dinkira, and other powerful states, they did not come into contact with any European settlement. It was not, indeed, till the commencement of this century that these states were obliged to give way before the growing strength of the Ashantee empire, which at length extended to the borders of the Fantees, the principal people on the Gold Coast. These last were ill fitted to cope with such formidable neighbors. They are a turbulent, restless tribe, and extremely prompt in giving offence, but in batile they are equally cowardly and undisciplined. The king of Ashantee having, not unwillingly perhaps, received from them high provocation, sent, in 1808, an army of 15,000 warriors, which entered their territory, and laid it waste with

fire and sword. At length they came to Anamaboe, where the Fantees had assembled a force of 9000 men; but these were routed at the first onset, and put to death, except a few who sought the protection of the British fort. The victors, then considering the British as allies of their enemy, turned their arms against the station, at that time defended by not more than twelve men. Yet this gallant little band, supported by slender bulwarks, completely baffled the fierce and repeated assaults made by this barbarous host, who were repulsed with considerable slaughter. Seized with admiration and respect for British prowess, the Ashantees now made proposals for a negotiation, which were accepted, and mutual visits were paid and returned. The English officers were peculiarly struck with the splendid array, the digni fied and courteous manners, and even the just moral feeling, displayed by these warlike strangers. They, on their side, expressed an ardent desire to open a communication with the sea and with the British, complaining that the turbulent Fantees opposed the only obstacle to so desirable a purpose. A treaty was concluded, and a thoroughly good understanding seemed established between the two nations. The Ashantees, however, made several successful incursions in 1811 and 1816; and on the last occasion the Fantees were obliged to own their supremacy, and engage to pay an annual tribute. The British government judiciously kept aloof from these feuds; but in 1817 a mission was sent, under Messrs. James Bodwich and Hutchinson, to visit the capital of that powerful kingdom, and to adjust some trifling dissentions which had unavoidably arisen.

The mission having set out on the 22d April, 1817, passed over a country covered, in a great measure, with immense and overgrown woods, with a beautiful scenery.

INDIAN PICTURE WRITING. These rude and simple outlines very justly represent the ordinary style of drawing exhibited by the red-men in their attempts to delineate natural objects, or fancied creatures of different kinds. It seems somewhat strange, that in all their practice, (for drawing is not uncommon among them,) there should never have been found any striking evidence of improvement in the art. Probably their want of skill, and even of taste, may be explained by the fact, that they have objects in view quite distinct from great accuracy of delineation and coloring, entirely independent of them, and always of more real or supposed utility. These are of three classes:

1st. To communicate facts, as by marking on sand, bark, trees, &c., a few signs to indicate who had passed that way, in what direction, and sometimes under what circum

stances.

2d. To record events in the life of an individual, the buffalo or other skins are commonly used, of which they make their dresses.

3d. Mystical figures connected with their strange religious superstitions.

Two of these classes of drawing are often combined; for the religious illusions of hea thenism, among the Indians, as among many other pagans, are lamentably powerful and extensive in their influence upon the lives of their subjects-more so, alas! than the pure and ennobling doctrines of Christians are upon many of us. The motive which leads an Indian to make a record of an event in the history of his tribe, usually has something selfish in it; and he introduces something connected with his own prowess, even when he engraves on Dighton Rock, or on the cliffs of the Mississippi or Lake Superior.

We wish our readers, however, to receive one idea relating to this subject and it is one which we never obtained until we had for many years directed an eager curiosity to Indian drawings. It is this; that they

usually have relation to some peculiarity of Indian manners or superstitions, which cannot be fully understood without careful study, or indeed without information which few, very few whitemen have ever obtained. There is a clue to every one of them: but often, and probably almost always, it is by no means so near the surface, as we, civilized men, profound thinkers and extensive readers, are naturally inclined to suppose.

Take the rude and simple figures above. That on the right hand somewhat resembles one engraved on the Dighton rock, and may represent merely a common deer, if connected with a mere matter of fact record, of the first class, If, however, introduced into a group of the second or third kind, it may signify an imaginary, unreal animal, such as the painter has seen in a dream, or such as the priest, or juggler, has taught him to believe exists, with some strange, impossible properties. The animal with a mark drawn from its tongue to its heart, is one of the latter kind; for that mark indicates that the Indian claims a complete control over it, by some mystical power being able to reach its life at his pleasure.

Here figure 11, simple as it is, has a meaning which would require many words to explain to us in full. It is the outline of an Indian sweating-tent, or lodge, which was -extensively in use among all the Algonquin race, and other tribes, we know not how far and wide. It is a vapor bath, on a most simple plan, but most convenient and effective for their purposes, and probably on the whole the best feature in their medical sys tem, in which it played an important figure. Our drawing presents a section of the sweating tent. In the middle the Indian lay upon a narrow couch, often spread with sweet herbs, covered with buffalo robes, &c., after the heated stones had been placed beneath, and profusely wet with water, the steam of which filled the whole atmosphere. When covered with perspiration, he hurried to the river, and plunged in, sometimes in cold weather, wrapping himself again in a robe.