here neither in they way of blame nor of praise, but simply as a matter of history which is open to common observation. In this view, however, it is entitled to earnest attention. The fact, in its own nature, is curious. Nor can it easily be allowed to be of only small significance. Such variation from the mind and posture of the ancient Church, in regard to the Creed, implies necessarily a serious variation from the life of primitive christianity in general. The difference between Puritanism and original Protestantism here, argues necessarily a very considerable remove in the whole inward habit and being of the first from the proper spiritual constitution of the second. Such a fact has a right to challenge notice. Whether it be looked upon as right or wrong, an occasion for gratulation or a reason for censure and complaint, it is entitled at all events to earnest consideration, and should if possible be fairly understood and explained.

The force of what is now said will become still more evident when we take into view the interior constitution of the Creed, its rise and structure in the living sphere of faith, to which it primarily and natively belongs.

J. W. N.

ART. VIII. THE PROGRESS OF ETHNOLOGY. An Account of recent Archæological, Philological and Geographical researches in various parts of the globe, tending to elucidate the physical history of man. By John Russell Bartlett, Cor. Sec. of the American Ethnological Society, and foreign Cor. Sec. of the New York Hist. Society. Second edition; New York: Bartlett & Welford, 7, Astor House. 1847.

No department of inquiry which tends to confirm the truth of Sacred Scripture, ought to be regarded as trivial. All researches

therefore into the records of nations long since passed away, or which now exist in a state of degeneracy, must be replete with interest to the student of the Bible, that most ancient thesaurus of facts pertaining to the original inhabitants of the earth. It has long been the practice of infidels to scoff at the statements of the inspired penmen, and sneeringly to inquire what proofs can be adduced of the truth of many of their assertions, especially, in relation to tribes whose very names seem to have become extinct. But we are happy to perceive that the science of Ethnology has stepped forward and confirmed the truth of statements which could not otherwise have been so satisfactorily established.

The book before us, has given us a brief outline of such researches in various parts of the globe, especially during the year preceding its publication. It was laid before the New York Historical Society, (a society which has done much to draw forth the talent and enterprise of our country,) and, although not strictly a historical subject, is yet sufficiently so, to come within the scope and design of that excellent institution.

It has long been a well-known fact, that throughout most of the Western and Southern States, especially in the valley of the Mississippi, there exist monuments and ancient remains of a people, who seem to have far transcended the present Indians, in intelligence, skill, and the arts of civilized life. But little was done until "two gentlemen of Ohio, Dr. Davis and Mr. E. G. Squier attempted to explore the region of the Scioto valley. Their labors seem to have been crowned with abundant success; and they have been enabled to show that the tumuli which abound in those regions, are divided into three grand classes, viz: 1st. Tumuli of sepulture, each containing a single skeleton, enclosed in a rude wooden coffin or an envelope of bark or matting, and occurring in isolated or detached groups. 2d. Tumuli of sacrifice, containing symmetrical altars of stone or burnt clay, occurring within, or in the immediate vicinity of enclosures, and always stratified. 3d. Places of observation, or mounds, raised upon elevated or commanding stations." Within these tumuli have been found implements and ornaments of silver, copper, lead, stone, ivory, and pottery, and sculptures of animals, birds and reptiles. Rocks too, have been found, on which are cut the outlines of the human figure, and of birds and animals. These researches, says our author, "show that a people, radically different from the existing race of Indians, once occupied the valley

of the Mississippi." Perhaps we are not far from the truth, in supposing them to be identical with the tribes of Central America, whose magnificent remains are so fully described by Mr. Stephens. We are farther informed of the successful labors of Dr. Dickeson, in the South-western States; he having examined no less than one hundred and fifty mounds and tumuli, one of which contains on its summit, a superficies of eight acres, having within vast numbers of skeletons, vases, ornaments, &c. The north side of it is supported by a wall of sun-dried bricks, two feet thick. To the different kinds of mounds, he assigns the names of telegraphs or look-outs, temples, cemeteries, and tent mounds. Many of these are built with mathematical precision, in the shape of squares, triangles, and circles. Wells and reservoirs, lined with burnt clay, were also found. And what is not a little remarkable, heads were discovered in which artificial teeth were found, as well as teeth which had been plugged, thus showing that the art of dentistry was known among them. In a long list of antiquities found by Mr. Dicke son, we note the following arrow points of jasper, quoits, weights, corn-grinders, stone statues, beads, war-clubs, bracelets, handled saucers, earthen lamps, copper medals, jars, cups and vases in every variety. These mounds are easily distinguished from those of modern Indians; and one mound was found to be the work of three different periods. At the top were the remains of the present Indians; digging lower, he found ancient Spanish relics, and still lower, were the relics of the primitive race. Much interest was formerly excited, which still continues, in reference to certain characters inscribed upon a tablet found in the Grave-creek mound, Virginia, noticed by Mr. Schoolcraft, in the first volume of the Transactions of the American Ethnological Society. M. Jomard, of the French Institute, and Mr. Hodgson, have both expressed their decided opinion that these characters are Numidian, being the same with those found on the monument of Thugga, and with those used by the Taurycks, at the present day; constituting part of the Lybian alphabet. This would seem to confirm the tradition of certain Phoenician or Carthagenian ships having, at a remote period, visited America, by the way of the Canaries and other islands lying between Africa and this country; and it is worthy of remark that a strong affinity exists between the ancient names of men and animals in those islands and certain Carib words. We doubt not but that researches of this kind will ultimately establish upon a firm basis, the assertion of the Bible, that all the human race are descended from one pair.

Another curious statement respects the Indians found in Califorria, or New Mexico, in the province of Sonora, called the White Indians or Munchies, who are far superior to other Indian tribes. In the same province, are found the Navijos, "possessing a civilization of their own," and having never yielded to Spanish authority. The arts of weaving and dying are understood among them, and there is much reason to believe them identical with the ancient Aztecs or those semi-civilized races found in Mexico, by Cortez, at the time of its first discovery. Such is the opinion of Baron Humboldt, and the tradition of the Indians themselves, favors this opinion. The account of the vast region between the Rocky mountains, Upper California, and Oregon, by Col. Fremont, of the U. S. Corps of Engineers, has been pretty generally read, while the explorations made by Mr. Hillert, in the isthmus of Panama, have done much to show the best mode of constructing a canal and railroad across the isthmus of Darien. He has examined many plants in that region, and describes an anti-venomous herb, with which, if the hands be rubbed, scorpions, &c., may be handled with impunity. This gentleman has discovered some ancient monumental edifices, besides an ancient canal cut through the solid rock in the interval between the rivers Atrato and Darien.

The researches in Greenland too, (a country first discovered in 877, and colonized in 986,) have been greatly extended by the labors of the Rev. George T. Joergensen, at the firths of Igalik ko and Tunnudluarbik, where important ruins are situated. In vol. III. of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, may be found a vast deal pertaining to this subject, from which it appears that Greenland too abounds in ancient ruins of much interest. The Scripta Historia Islandorum," by the same society, gives much valuable information in regard to Iceland, Greenland, and other northern regions. Sir John Franklin spent at least two years in the Arctic regions, and the Hudson's Bay Company have fitted out an expedition to the same end. Also the Hon. Albert Gallatin and Mr. Hale, philologist of the United States' Exploring Expedition, have employed their pens in regard to the Indian tribes beyond the Rocky mountains. The latter has issued a volume, entitled "Ethnology and Philology." In South America, a French expedition under Count Castlenau, has been for three years engaged in examining the country between Rio Janeiro and Goyaz, on the head waters of the river Araguay, the desert of the Chavantes, the diamond mines near Cuyaba, the sources of the Paraguay and Arenos, and a tribe of Indians called Guatos,

a remarkably beautiful race, having large eyes with long lashes, a long black beard and aquiline noses, and wearing hats made of hides.

The Count traversed also the country between Paraguay and Brazil, and examined the great lake Uberava, the limits of which have not yet been defined by geographers. From this place, he proceeded to Vera Cruz, Chuquisaca in Bolivia, Potosi and Lima. In Peru, Senor Nieto has discovered certain ruins in the province of Chachapoyas, of which "the principal edifice is stated to be an immense wall of hewn stone 3600 feet in length, 560 feet in width, and 100 feet high. It is solid in the interior and level on the top, upon which is another wall 600 feet in length, of the same breadth and height as the former, and like it solid to its summit. In this elevation, and also in that of the lower wall, are a great many rooms eighteen feet long and fifteen wide, in which are found neatly constructed niches, containing bones of the ancient dead, some naked and some in shrouds or blankets." A plane gradually ascends to its summit, on which is a small watch-tower commanding a view of eleven leagues. The cavities of the adjoining mountain, contained many skeletons wrapped in shrouds made of cotton of various colors. Other expeditions by the English and French governments are about to be sent out, and by this time have probably made many new discoveries.

In Africa, great zeal has been manifested, and the result of the expedition of the Landers, in ascertaining the mouth of the Niger, has led to recent efforts in regard to the sources of the Nile, by M. d'Abaddie, Dr. Beke, Isenberg, and others, but without success. M. Jomard has given a vocabulary of the language of Darfur. Also in Senegal, Mr. Thompson has made some important observations. In a journey performed by Mr. John Duncan, from Cape Coast, through Dahomey, that traveller witnessed a "review of six thousand female troops, well armed and accoutred." A grammar of the Pongwee tongue has been commenced, and it is said that this language is "one of the most perfect of which the missionaries there have any knowledge. It is not so remarkable for copiousness of words, as for its great and almost unlimited flexibility." Considerable discoveries have been made in the interior of Africa, by Mr. James Richardson, M. Raffenel, of the French navy, and Lieutenant Ruxton, of the Royal navy. Some valuable contributions have been made to our knowledge of Africa, by Mr. Cooley and Mr. Mc