I'fass ^ (eS Book : X:> -^ 7 1 LECTURE ON THE ^ ^pf ANTiaUITIES OF CENTRAL AMERICA, ANU ON THE DISCOVERY OF NEW ENGLAND BY THE NORTHMEN, FIVE HUNDRED YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS, rELIVERED IN NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, BOSTON, AND OTHER CITIES. ALSO IN SOME OF THE FIRST LITERARY INSTITUTIONS OP THE UNION^ BY A.' DAVIS, FORMERLY CHAPLAIN OF THE SENATE, ETC. NEW YORE. SIXTH EDITION, With Additions. NEIV YORK: BARTLETT AND COMPANY, NO. 2, ASTOR HOUSE. BOSTON: DUTTON AND WENTWORTH, NOS. 10 AND 12, EXCHANGE STREET. 1840. TO THE PUBLIC The generous patronage received for t?ie delivery of the following Lecture, leads to its publication. Though faint the ray of knowledge it may impart, yet I trust it will still be seen, and its benefits rewarded, while exhibited in a different medium. The circulation of six thousand copies in a short time, shews that this hope of success has not been disappointed. Since published, it has not only been delivered in various cities and institutions, but it has been repeated lately thirteen times in Baltimore. Together with original matter, the Lecture is a compilation from various important works. Facts have been obtained from the first libraries in Boston, Worcester, Philadelphia, Washington and George- town. LECTURE. While the beauties of the visible creation fade on the eye — while all nature reposes under the mantle of night, it is pleasant to leave the haunts of business for the lecture room, and to survey remote periods under the light of history. The active mind of man instinctively surveys the dark regions of the past, and would gladly break the unfathomable silence of the nations of the dead, and raise the veil where their beauty and glory have slept for ages. This strong desire to learn something of those who lived when time was young, leads the antiquary too often to adopt groundless theo- ries. But, if there are counterfeit antiquities, there are those, also, that are genuine. The present is an age peculiar for developing the latter. — The most extensive field for antiquarian research opens in Central America. There, from beneath dense forests, have been revealed to the light of heaven, specimens of the arts amid the ruins of " gorgeous palaces." That America was peopled by those in advance of the savage state long before any authentic accounts are given of settlements, is manifest from nameless monuments of antiquity found in various parts. It will be recollected that the avaricious Spaniards discovered and conquered Mexico on the north, and Peru and Chili on the south of Central America, in the first place ; but, at length the solitude of the latter was broken, and there was discovered the El Dorado, about which the whole Spanish nation had so long been dreaming. The appearance of these ruins shows that a nation once existed there highly skilled in the mechanic arts, and in a state of civilization far beyond any thing that we have been led to believe of the aborigi- nes, previous to the time of Columbus. 4 A LECTURE ON THE The antiquities of America, may be divided into three classes, left in succession, by nations more or less enlightened. The inhabitants of Central America, were the most intelligent — the next in intellectual ad- vancement, were the Mexicans ; the rude mounds of the West, must have been left by those who were not very far in advance of the natives. The first knowledge of the ruins of Central America, was derived from accounts given by straggling hunters. In 1787, the Spanish government sent out Del Rio, to survey the ruins. Waldeck, in 1822, published an account of Rio's discoveries. The Spaniards were ever jealous of other nations, lest they should also discover the treasures that region unfolded. They have taken anti- quities from that quarter, and deposited them at the monastic institution of Cuenca, forty miles from Madrid. Capt. Dupaix was sent on a mission to Central America, in 1805. Lord Kingsboro' gave an account of Dupaix's discoveries. William H. Prescott, Esq. of Boston, has the work of Lord K. ; it is as splendid as it is expensive, and it presents very beautiful and striking views of buildings, and likenesses of the inhabitants. Waldeck visited the South in 1832. Among the hieroglyphics, he thinks he has deciphered an account of the reign of eleven queens. Gov. Galindo of Peten, in Central America, has corresponded with Lieut. Gov. Winthrop, Boston, relative to the antiquities of that region. For the great discoveries he has made, be has received a premium from one of the literary societies of Europe. J. L. Stephens, Esq., and Mr. Catherwood, have returned after hav- ing made important discoveries in Central America : as lofty statues, obelisks, and beautiful altar pieces. Gov. Galindo, in speaking of one of the cities in the vicinity of Palenque, says, that a gigantic massica or bread fruit tree, grows on one of the altars, encircling it with its powerful roots. The most re- markable trees growing over the ruins, are the mahogany, cedar, chocolate, &c. One of the squares of the city, is surrounded with six handsome obelisks, the highest of which is more than six yards high ; they all bear in basso relievo, gigantic figures. One temple has eighty such figures. The temple of Copan was 653 feet by 524 feet in dimensions. It must have been as large as St. Peter's Church, in Rome. Let us gaze on this mighty structure for instruction ! It stands as a landmark on the broad field of time — it reminds us of the remote origin of a great empire. Centuries must have rolled away — Dynasties must have suc- ceeded each other, before orders of architectui-e were introduced, and a long time must have elapsed before an empire would become so lux- urious as to erect the stupendous temple of Copan. Among the vast pile of ruins, is found an architrave of black gran- ite, finely cut. Six granite columns are seen, each of a single piece, 17 feet high, and 3 feet in diameter. The Mayon architecture in Yucatan, is said to be superior to that of Palenque. It is wrought in stone, and finished with great elegance. Gen. Santa Anna, says, that the antiquities of Central America, are worthy of being placed in parallel with the pyramids of Egypt. DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. Palenque, which lies 240 miles from Tobasco, lat. 17° N. is amona the most remarkable cities of the south. Palenque is a Castilian worcf and means " lists for fighting." ' This city has emphatically been called the Thebes of America In surveymg its ruins, the traveller is led to believe that it was founded at as early a period as the renowned cities of Egypt. How immense this city ! It is supposed to have been sixty miles in circumference, and that it contained a population of nearly three mil- lions. Great were its commercial privileges— even now, the beautiful Otulum rolls along its desolated borders. Palenque, lying about one thousand miles from Mexico, and beins elevated five thousand feet above the ocean, enjoyed a climate almost unequalled for its pleasantness. The natural beauty of the scenery was unrivalled— the soil rich and fertile beyond any other portion of the globe. _ One of the principal structures revealed to the eye of the antiquarian is the teocuh or temple. Its style of architecture resembles the Gothic It IS rude, massive and durable. Though resemblinji the Egyptian edi- fices also, yet this and the other buildings are peculVar, and^ are differ- ent from all others hitherto known. The entrance to this temple is on the east side, by a portico more than one hundred feet in length, and nine feet broad. The rectangular pillars of the portico have their architraves adorned with stucco work of shields and other devices. This temple stands on an elevation of sixty feet. Would that its exalted location and its splendor were indi- cative of elevated and enlarged views its worshippers might have had of the bupreme Being ; but certain objects or relievos, lead to the sup- position that within its massive walls human beings were sacrificed to incensed divinities. Among the ruins, different objects of worship have been found, and in particular an idol of pure gold, about six inches long. Amid this wilderness of ruins are now to be seen fourteen large stone buildings, with many of their apartments in good condition. Ihe antiquity of this city is manifest not only from its nameless hiero- glyphics and other objects ; but from the age of some of the trees grow- ing over bmldmgs where once the hum of industry and the voice of merriment were heard. A number of natives were employed by the bpaniards in felling the trees and in consuming them by fire. The work was executed in about twenty days. The concentric circles of some of these trees were counted, which showed that they were more than nine hundred years of age. But alas ! the founders of cities, as magnificent as those Ihat adorned flood ^^"^ ^'^''' ^'"^^^ ^^^^^ished like the generations before the " Every house is builded by some man," but who erected the splen- did temples of Palenque, none can tell, save » He who made all thiiUs " Unnumbered centuries have passed away since the noon-day of PaTen- cian glory. There the wing of endless night broods over all that was once beautiful and grand — "w^^''\^^ Senates once the weal of nations planned Hisseth the gliding snake through lioary weeds That clasp the mouldering columns." A LECTURE ON THE 1 have seen an original representation of the following Palencian head, in the possession of Professor Dod, of Princeton College. Shade of Spurz- heim ! tell if thou canst what quali- ties such a form- ed head as this implies. This helmet is said to resemble those described by Homer. Oh ! that some mighty genius like that of Belzoni would arise and remove from this city of the world called neiL\ the veil that conceals its origin. It is supposed that this city was destroyed by some internal convul- sion, or like those of the south of Europe, was overwhelmed by the barbarians of the north. It is not singular that it should have been concealed from view for ages, when we recollect that cities of the eastern continent have, in like manner, remained in oblivion till of late. We allude to the i-uins of Pestum in Campania of Italy, and those of Petra of Idumea in Asia. A new forest hid for centuries, the former from the degenerate sons of Rome, while the splendid structures of Petra were known only to Be- douins for over a thousand years. Who does not delight to read about the roses of Pestum } Yet they still unfold their inimitable petals amid the ruins of palaces, and beside dilapidated temples. In a letter from Juan Galindo, Gov. of Peten, Central America, to Hon. T. L. Winthrop, I find the following remark : The physiognomy of the figures in basso relievo, throughout the ruins, is exactly similar to that of the modern Punctuncs and Mayas, the aboriginal inhabitants of the neighborhood. Do we admire the boundless forests, the lofty mountains, and the majestic rivers of our hemisphere } The vast wilderness of ruins, once enlivened by intelligent beings, should demand a higher claim to our admiration. DISCO VEHY OF AMERICA. 7 The antiquities of America stretch from the great lakes of the north and west to Central America, and the southern parts of Peru on the south ; from the Alleghany mountains on the east, to the Rocky moun- tains on the west ; and even from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean. We will not say, as the Athenians said of their nation, that the first inhabitants of America were created when the sun was first lit up in the sky ; but we must presume they early reached this continent from the old world. The learned Dr. Clarke says that the continents were once united, but that by the force of winds and waves the isthmuses were broken up and formed into islands along the coasts. Easy, however, is the transition from the east to the west, by the way of Bhering's straits, when we consider that they are only thirteen leagues wide. Adverse winds also might have driven the frail vessels of the an- cients to the region lying on the gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. But as tropical animals found in America could not have crossed over by Bhering's straits when frozen, they must have come by land that once extended from Asia or Africa to America, in the torrid zone. Should it be asked why certain animals, as the horse and the cow, not found, originally, on this continent, did not cross by this continuous range of lands, we answer, because the original continent was divided as possibly in the days of Peleg, before such animals had an oppor- tunity to migrate. It is presumed that men and animals diverged as from the central place, where the ark rested, moving in all direc- tions. Think you they would have transported venomous serpents from the old to the new world ? It is asserted that a range of land once extended from the eastern part of Brazil to the western part of Africa. The remains of the sunk- en part of the continent are seen in the Isle of Ascension and other islands ; also in the sand banks. Such have been found by Bauche, in particular, who sounded that part of the Atlantic with great accuracy. Ogleby Cosmographer to the English Sovereign, 1671, thinks that men and animals came immediately after the flood from Armenia to Tartary, and from the latter place to this continent, by a continuous range of land extending from Asia to America by Bhering's straits. Some suppose the Indians came here by the way of the Fox Islands, 600 A. D. The traces of different races of men, now extinct, are to be found in America, as the dwarfish and the giant. The graves of the former, four feet and a half long, are seen in Georgia, and the bones of the latter farther north — some of the thigh bones are two or three inches longer than those of the present inhabitants — crania are found large enough to cover the head of the observer. And is it strange it should have been said in the Sacred Volume ? "And there were giants in those days." The light of science and revelation commingle, forming one broad stream of light that is not lost, but amid the radiance that encircles the throne of the Eternal. The eyes of mankind, from the time of Pythagoras, have been turn- 8 A LECTURE ON THE ed to the west, in anticipation that here new discoveries were to be made, and hither were the adventurous at length led. And who was the first among known discoverers ? Who are not ready to answer, Columbus ? A different answer might surprise some. One is given in the name of the Northmen. It is asserted that Lief, a Northman, was the first who discovered the country south of Greenland, unless we except New- foundland. Biarne sailed from Norway, directed by the stars, for Greenland ; but being driven by the winds, for several days, to the south, he saw an island — probably Newfoundland. The discovery of America by the Northmen, excites a vast deal of curiosity. And is it not a laudable curiosity that leads one to ascertain what white men first trod regions in which the modest wild flower wasted its sweetness on the desert air ? As Geography is one of the eyes of history, it would be well at this time to direct the attention to the map of North America, and to those of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in particular. The Royal Society of Northern Antiquarians in Copenhagen have lately published an important work. While the contents of this mass- ive work are invaluable, its mechanical execution reflects great honor on the society that published it. This work is called, as translated from the Latin, "American Anti- quities, or northern writings of things in America before the time of Columbus." The determination was formed about twelve years since by the Roy- al Society of Antiquarians in Copenhagen to publish the authorities on which these accounts rest in the original documents, accompanied with full commentaries and illustrations. The text is in the Icelandic tongue. The inquiry is often made, who were the Northmen ? They were the descendants of the Scandinavians, who it is thought sprang from the Thi-acians mentioned by Homer — a nation now extinct. The Danes, the Swedes, the Norwegians, and the Icelanders, all come under the name of Northmen or Norsemen. Their literature has been compared in extent, to the literary remains of Greece and Latium. This opens a new fountain of research, where the scholar may often " Return and linger, linger and return." This great work contains two Icelandic documents, now for X\ve first time published accurately in a complete form, purporting to be histories written by or for persons who discovered and visited the North Ameri- can coast early in the eleventh century, confirmed and illustrated by extracts from no less than fifteen other original manuscripts, in which the facts set forth in these histories are either mentioned or alluded to. The Royal Society have already collected two thousand sagas or works of Scandinavian or Icelandic history. In this work, in particular, is found Adam of Bremen's account of the discovery of America, communicated to him in the eleventh century by Sweyn Estrithson, king of Denmark. DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. » 1st. Are these documents genuine ? 2d. If so, why have they not been heard of before ? The work itself contains evidences of the antiquity and authenticity of the manuscripts from which the publication has been made, sufficient to raise them above any just suspicion. These documents, as Professor Rafn says, have been known to Ice- landic scholars, but these have been so few, comparatively, and the means of these few so limited, that they have not been able to give them suitable examination, much less to be at the expense of publish- ing them. How long did the ancient classics, for instance, lay concealed in the monasteries of Europe, for the want of some one to exhibit them to public view ? These Icelandic documents may have been hid in like man- ner, in the libraries of priests. And we may say that the Society of Antiquarians in Copenhagen, in bringing these documents to light, resembles the conduct of the poet Laureate, Petrarch, in the fourteenth century, who at his own expense, had the valuable manuscripts of anti- quity dragged from the dust of the cloisters, transcribed and exhibited to the world. Who does not admire the lovely scenery, where the beautiful and sublime are blended, displayed in the succession of falls at Trenton ? Yet these were concealed for ages, till a master-spirit revealed them to an admiring world ! And does not the raven wing of night hide the works of art also till disclosed in a similar way ? The learned of Ice- land, though like the generality of poets, were poor, yet they were not disposed, like Milton, to sell their manuscripts for a paltry sum. It is well known the Norwegians have long claimed the honor of dis- covering and colonizing America before the time of Columbus. Instead of this discovery being a new fangled theory, as some say, there have been several works published in Europe, upwards of a cen- tury, which speak of these facts. Wormius speaks of this discovery, in a Latin translation published at the University of Oxford, in or about 1716. In Adam of Bremen's account, published 1629, he uses the fol- lowing striking language ; " non fabulosa opinione sed certa relatione Danorum," that is, in a free translation, " this is not a fabulous opinion, but a true narrative given by the Danes themselves." Dr. Franklin in a letter to a distinguished antiquary formerly of Switzerland, says posi- tively, that the Danes came into New England before the time of Col- umbus. The celebrated Dr. Henderson, who travelled in Iceland, says, that the fact of this early discovery was well known to the Icelanders, — that it was authenticated by northern historians. It is a remarkable fact, that Iceland, where these documents relating to the early discove- ry, were preserved, was the Athens of the North during the dark ages. During the middle ages, the Icelanders were the most intelligent peo- ple in the North. Even now, as Henderson says, youth can repeat passages from Latin and Greek authors, who have never been but a few miles from the place of their birth. And the hardy Icelanders were our librarians and historians. Iceland appears to have been a medium of communication between 2 10 A LECTURE ON THE Norway and Greenland — a stepping-stone, as it were, from one conti- nent to another. Iceland, thought by some to be the " Ultima Thule" of Virgil, was discovered by the Norwegians in 861. The oppression of king Harold Harfaga drove them there for an asylum. But the restless spirit of the Northmen would not allow them to be idle. They made incursions in every direction, and discovered Green- land in 984. In 986, a colony was begun by Eric, the red. This was at length destroyed. By the exertions of the Danish Society, the ruins of this settlement have been discovered. It was located on the west, near Cape Farwell. It is seen in the remains of churches and buildings. Leif, the son of Eric, commenced a voyage of discovery in the year 1000. His crew consisted of thirty-five men. Leif was the first to in- troduce missionaries into Greenland. After sailing for some time south west, they made land — they anch- ored and Avent ashore. This place was destitute of grass, and was cov- ered with a slaty rock which they called Helluland. This is supposed to be Labrador. Fishermen and travellers of the present day, give a like description of that barren region. From thence they sailed southwardly, and after holding on for some time, they again made land and went ashore. This country was level, had a low coast, presenting here and there bluffs of white sand, and was thickly covered with wood. This they named Markland, or Wood- land. This is thought to be Nova Scotia. Leaving Mai-kland, they sailed south-westerly with a fair wind two days, before seeing land again, when they passed down a promontory, probably the east side of Cape Cod, stretching east and north, and then turning west between an island (Martha's Vineyard,) and the main land, they entered a bay, (Narragansett Bay,) through which a river flowed, (Taunton River,) when they came to anchor and went ashore. Resolv- ing to spend the winter here, they called the place Leifsbuthir, or place of booths. Here finding grapes very plenty, they called the place Vin- land or Wineland the good. This land, to those coming from the re- mote north, appeared as nature in the " world's first spring." Early in the season they returned to Greenland. Leif 's return be- came the principal subject of conversation. The next adventurer was Thorwold, his brother. And you will ob- serve that he and the other navigators gave the same account of places they visited. Were not this the case, who could believe any of their reports ? Thorwold, thinking the country had not been sufficiently explored, set sail in 1002, and proceeded to Leifsbuthir, where he lived till 1004. In the spring of 1004, he sailed from Leifsbuthir, after passing along the shore of the promontory east and north, they sailed round a sharp point of land called Kjarlanes. This must have been Cape Cod. Kjar- lanes implies Keelcape. For Cape Cod, at the extremity, is in shape of the keel of ancient vessels, which curved inward. These Northmen were peaceable men. They were not like Phaeton, who gladly would have seized the reins of the chariot of the sun to set DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 11 the world on fire. It must not be denied, however, that the second great navigator, Thorwold, assailed the natives without cause ; but in using the sword he perished by the sword. On receiving a mortal wound, he requested that after his death crosses might be placed at either end of his grave. The Catholic ministers in giving an account of their first missionary- labors in this country, speak of the custom of the natives in wearing crosses. Such must have been introduced by the Northmen christians. I mentioned this circumstance lately to the Librarian of the Ameri- can Antiquarian Society, Worcester, and lie said that a cross had been sent to that institution, by a gentleman of Ohio. I saw this emblem of the christian faith. It must have been hid from the light of heaven for centuries. This silver cross is about two and a half inches long. It was found on the breast of a female skeleton — one which was dug from a mound at Columbus over which a forest of trees had grown. On this cross the capital letters I. S. are perfectly visible. And what can these letters imply but the initials of the sacred name Iesus Sal- vat or ? Who can doubt, then, but that the " Sun of Righteousness" cast his bright beams on the land west of the dread Atlantic long before the time of Columbus ? In 1006, Thorfins, or Thorfin, commanded one of the three ships that came from Iceland to Greenland. He was of royal lineage. In the spring of 1007, Thorfin, with three ships and one hundred and sixty men, besides cattle and all necessary materials for establishing a colony, set sail for Vinland. They sailed to Helluland or Labrador ; from thence to Markland or Nova Scotia ; and from thence to Kjarlanes, or Cape Cod. Sailing south by the east side of the promontory, which terminated at Kjarlanes, they passed along beaches or trackless deserts of sand. How descrip- tive of this bleak and steril coast. Those who have sailed from Boston to Narragansett Bay, are ready to say, that I am not drawing an ideal picture. Continuing their course, they arrived at an island between which and the main land a stream appeared to pass. They called it Shaumey. This is supposed to be Martha's Vineyard. Nine men went away in one of the ships and never returned. It is said they were driven on the coast of Ireland where they were seized as slaves. In the spring, Thorfin and one hundred and fifty-one others went to the main land. They called the place Hop, the residence afterwards of king Philip. Here they found large numbers of skrellings or natives. Thorfin carried on a traffic with them by exchanging bits of colored cloth for furs. In consequence of their frequent attacks, in 1009, they returned to Greenland. Then it will be recollected that the Northmen had not the use of fire-arms, with which to defend themselves against the assaults of the savages. These lords of the wilds had a rude kind of engine by which they hurled large stones against their foes ; and it is possible that the white man would never have driven the red man from the Atlantic to the Rocky mountains, but for the invention of gun- powder. 12 A LECTURE ON THE I cannot forbear to speak of the valor of one of this crew of the Northmen, a female. When all the rest were disposed to flee before the savage foe, she exclaimed, " If I only had a weapon, I ween I could ligiit better than any of you." Ah, when we consider the patriotism of the females at the seige of Carthage, who cut their locks to make ropes for engines of war, and when we recollect the courage of Isabella, of Castile, who at the conquest of Grenada, though in ill health, led on her veterans to conquest and glory, have we not reason to suppose that this Scandinavian was sincere in her declaration .'' Truly, valor and benevolence are but parallel streams in the female heart. We would not applaud courage, however, unless under the control of a higher and holier principle. Thorfin married Gudrida, the widow of Thorstein, third son of Eric. She accompanied her husband to Vinland. Snorre, their son, was the first white child born in America. From him descended the distin- guished associate of Professor Rafn — Finn Magnusen. The great sculp- tor Thorwaldsen, now in Europe, is also of this family. Bishop Thu- lack Rudolfson, was a descendant of Thorfin's, and it is supposed that he wrote or compiled these documents. Dr. Laud, a distinguished Geologist from Denmark, has lately found the remains of an Icelandic city in Brazil. He discovered runic in- scriptions on flag stones. Above all, he found a statue of the North- man God of Thunder — Thor, with his attributes, the magic girdle and hammer. Thorfin, the most distinguished of these, returned to Iceland, where he ended his days, living in great splendor. The editor of the American antiquities. Professor Rafn, and his asso- ciate. Professor Finn Magnusen, think that Vinland was situated in the east part of Rhode Island, and in the south part of Massachusetts, on and about Narragansett Bay and Taunton river. The points in the Icelandic documents alluding to the locality of Vin- land, may be reckoned the Geography, Natural History, Astronomical Phenomena and vestiges of residence of Northmen in that place. All of these, in the opinion of the editor of the American Antiquities, point to the head of Narragansett Bay, or Mt. Hope Bay, as the locality of Hop, the central part of Vinland. As the Royal Society have held correspondence with several learned societies in this country for some years, they are well qualified to form a judgment on this subject. Dr. Webb, now of Boston, formerly Sec- retary R. I. Historical Society, and J. R. Bartlctt, Esq., of New York, have been very efficient agents in aiding the Royal Society, in present- ing this great work to the world. The following letter from the late General Holstein, Professor in " Albany Female Academy," will show the care taken to acquire in- formation relative to American Antiquities, " In proof of the great exertions made by the Northern Antiquarian Society in Copenhagen, to acquire a knowledge of Scandinavian Anti- quities in America, I hereby state that several years since, a letter of inquiry, sealed with the seal of the society, was sent to a professional gentleman of Geneva, in this state — a translation of which I made from the Danish tongue." DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 13 The Geography of Vinland.— Concerning the situation of Hellu- land, there can be no doubt, as it was the first land south west of (Greenland. Where else could this have been unless the coast of Lab- rador ? Markland was situated south west from Helluland, three days sail, or three hundred and sixty English miles. This is supposed to be Nova bcotia. The distance of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick agrees with the account the Icelanders gave of Markland. Vinland was situated two days sail, or about two hundred and forty Ji^nghsh miles to the south west of Markland, and if Markland has been properly located, must be sought in or near the south part of Massa- chusetts. In the Icelandic documents it is said that Hop, the residence of Thor- fin, was situated on an elevation of land, near a river which flowed south through a bay into the ocean. From this the land stretched east, and turning north, formed a promontory which terminated in a point or cape which they call Kjarlanes. The east side of the promontory was bounded by long narrow beaches or sand hills. To those, who like myself, have often viewed the Atlantic from these sand hills, this ac- count appears peculiarly striking. The Natural History of Vinland.— Vinland was remarkable for Its vines, maple trees, maize, and a great variety of wild animals. The waters abounded with fish, and were occasionally visited with whales Birds were numerous. The eider duck was seen about the islands in large numbers. As to vines, they are said to be numerous even now, and this is more particularly true of the country around Narragansett Bay. It is said the grapes are so numerous between Taunton and Providence, as to al- '^T/'t''^ 'JP .^^^ P'^^^^ "^^^^'^ ^^^y g^o^^- -^nd was not an island called Martha s Vineyard, on account of the multiplicity of vines grow- ing there } i^ •> s _ The celebrated Bishop Berkley, who attempted to establish a theolofr- ical seminary in Rhode Island, says in his letter to his friends in Europe that vines were as plenty on the island as in Italy. Gosnald, who vis- there ^^i^^'^^th Isles in 1603, says that vines were in great profusion In the documents it is said, that in that region are the red, sugar and bird 3 eye maple. The Northmen cut down the trees, and after thev were dry they loaded their ships with the timber. It is supposed that the bird s eye variety was made an article of commerce. As to Indian corn or maize, it seems our pilgrim fathers found some in what IS now called Truro, near the end of the Cape. It was buried m the earth to preserve it. Deer roam wild now in the pine woods, near Plymouth, as in the days of the Northmen. It is needless to remind the reader of the multiplicity of fish that still abound in the waters of this region. The sportsman may, at this day, tell his friends, in the language of Capt. Smith, of Jamestown, who de- 14 A LECTURE ON THE scribed this quarter, " of the pleasure to be derived from angling and crossing the sweet air, from isle to isle, over the silent streams of a calm sea." As to whales, I have occasionally seen them spouting around the sandy shores of the Cape. In regard to the eider duck, in the documents it is said still to inhabit these parts. In the Latin translation, it is called " anas moUisima," a duck with the finest of feathers. The feathers of the ducks in that quarter called the canvass back and the myrrh, have very fine feathers, and are probably the varieties named by the Northmen. Wild fowl must have been numerous there, as an island is still called Egg Island, from the quantity of eggs they deposited. Thorfin describes the soil and climate. — The winters of Vinland are said to be remarkably mild, but little snow fallmg, and cattle sub- sisting out of doors through the winter. This account does not agree with the description of New England winters at this time. Still, however, it has been the practice of the far- mers on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, to let their sheep and cattle lie out during the winter. But the cold winters of New England, com- pared with those of Greenland, are as the mildness of spring. They speak however of a snowy winter. But there have been great changes in the face of the earth, and in the climate, in different ages. Change is the law of nature. Has not one of the bright cluster been blotted out from the map of heaven .'' Such changes also takes place on the face of the earth. The Dead Sea was, in earlier times, sixty miles long — it is now only thirty. And even old Ontario and Erie have receded from their former bounds, leaving to the present generation a rich tract of land, several miles wide, and a beautiful ridge road. Who does not admire the everlasting rocks, rising in stern grandeur, on either side of the Mo- hawk at the Little Falls ? Yet, the lovely vale above must once have been the bed of a vast lake. This is manifest from the fact, that there are " pot holes" found at an elevation of sixty feet above the river, at these Falls. These circular excavations were made, ages since, by the circumvo- lution of stones, driven by the rapid descent of the waters. You can see a demonstratio7i of this fact by looking at the High Falls of the Black River, or Trenton. I have a specimen of Gneiss, broken from one of these holes, which though worn by the busy hand of old Time, is as smooth as if polished by the lapidary. And what a mighty labor was that, for the waters of this lake to have found their way, gradually^ through the high and continuous wall of granite, where now the Mohawk murmurs as it rolls along its new channel. And how has the face of the earth changed in Massachusetts since visited by the Scandinavians ? For instance, at the extremity of the Cape called Kjarlanes, I have seen, amid wide waves of sand, innumerable stumps of trees. So that where now is comparatively a desert of sand, DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, 15 and one as bleak as that of Sahara, once stood a dense forest. As the ocean is constantly encroaching on these barren shores, Govern- ment is expending large sums to prevent its ravages by planting beach grass. One circumstance forces itself on my mind that may not be improper to name. I do not find that there is any mention in these documents of there being masses of sand at Kjarlanes. As it is said, the east side of the promontory was bounded by long narrow beaches or sand hills, and from the remains of a forest of which I spake, at the extremity of this Cape, is it unreasonable to suppose it stood there in the days of the first voyagers ? Geological facts prove that it was much warmer formerly in the north than it is now. For instance, we find from the skeleton of the elephant, found in Si- beria, that this tropical animal once roamed there. Large forests once flourished in Lapland. The following observations from the work of Hugh Williamson, M. D., on Climate, politely handed me by Professor Greene, of Albany, concur with the above views. It is not to be disputed that in former ages Iceland produced timber in abundance. Large trees are occasionally found there in the marshes and vallies, to a considerable depth in the ground. Segments of these fossil trees have lately been exported in proof of the alleged fact. It is asserted in the ancient Icelandic records, that when Ingulf, the Norwegian, first landed in Iceland, 879, he found so thick a cluster of birch trees that he penetrated them with difficulty, Henderson in his Travels in Iceland says, that the climate has dete- riorated there from the fact that it was once shaded with forests. When the first Norwegian colony settled in Greenland, about 1000 years ago, they found no difficulty from ice in approaching the coast^ and a regular correspondence was supported by their people for many years. And has not climate changed even in this region ? A gentleman of Mount Morris, N. Y. says, that forty years ago, the winters were sa mild in the Genessee Valley, that one could plough, and that swine lived through them in the woods. And is it unreasonable to suppose that the climate of New England was much milder in the days of the Northmen than it is now ? The learned editor and his associate deduce from the Astronomical data, lat. 41° 24' 10", which is the latitude of Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope. There, at the winter solstice, December 22d, the day is- nine hours. That the Northmen were capable of taking latitudes is evident from the circumstance, that at that period they speak of eclipses, which have lately been calculated by Sir David Brewster, and the distinguished Norwegian Astronomer Hanstein, and found correct. Tlie reading, however, that leads to the above calculation has been disputed. The whole controversy turns on the meaning of two words. From what we can understand, we presume the editor is correct in his exposition. 16 A LECTURE ON THE But suppose we were to reject all history on account of some appa- rent or real discrepancy in narration ? In sucli a case, some future reader might declare that the History of the American Revolution was neither credible nor authentic ; for it is said that the distinguished battle of the 17th June, '75, was fought on Bunker's Hill instead of Breed's. Who does not know that Bunker's Hill, rising back of Breed's, is 7nore elevated than the latter, on which the monument is rising ? (Yes, and by the patriotism of the ladies of 1840, will ere long tower to the stars.) Little can be said of the vestiges of the residence of the Northmen in this country. There is a large rock at the junction of Smith's Creek with Taunton River, with a singular inscription on it. It was evidently made with an iron instrument. Passing over the particular remarks of the editor, on these letters, I would give his supposition as to their meaning. Thorfins, with one hundred and fifty-one men, took possession of this country. rxxxiM l^ORFINX Where the first character stands in the second line it is supposed T H was once made. Pi-ofessor Rafn has deciphered an inscription on the Paradisic rock of Iceland, which, he says, proves beyond doubt the European origin of the inscription on this in Massachusetts. Instead of Mr. Catlin's having seen like inscriptions on white quart rocks at the west, I am told, on the best authority, that he says he has not seen such there. John R. Bartlett, Esq. copied the above inscrip- tion. He found the characters permanently imbedded in the rock called gneiss. There are similar inscriptions on rocks in the vicinity of Mount Hope Bay. The people in the north of Europe were fond of making inscriptions on rocks on the borders of lakes and rivers ; for such are found in Norway, Sweden, and Scotland. They are called " runes." One of these inscriptions, found on a rock in Sweden, has been deci- phered by Professor Finn Magnusen. The inscription relates to a bat- tle fought about A. D. 680, between the kings of Norway and Sweden, Accounts of this battle were given by authentic historians. As the monuments of antiquity in North America are different from those in Mexico, Central and South America, they must have been left by different races. It is said there is a similarity between the antiqui- ties of North America and those found in the North of Europe and Asia. Capt. Williams, of Boston, a native of Denmark, says he has exam- ined a mound near St. Louis, and he finds that its form, and the relics it contains, are precisely like the shape of the mounds in Denmark and the antiquities found in them. He thinks the mounds of the west were erected by the Scandinavians. DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 17 Were the Northmen capaljlc of making discoveries and of recording them ? The rude cliildren of our forests could not perform a work so mighty. The Roman historian, Tacitus, spake of the invasion of the people of the north, before the christian era. He says of the Cimbri, that they were not a small tribe, but mighty in fame ; that the vestiges of their ancient glory still remained in their fortifications ; that no other nation had so often given them cause to dread their arms — not the Carthage- nians, or Spaniards, or Gauls. In later times, the Northmen made incursions upon Germany, France, England, the Orkney, Farroe and Shetland Isles. The French were in such fear of the Northmen, that they inserted in their Liturgy, "A furore Normanorum, libera nos, O Domine ! " In the ninth and tenth centuries, the Danes, or Northmen, invaded England, and seated one of their favorite princes, Canute, on the throne of Alfred. They were a daring people — the sea was their home — the mountain wave was the scene of their sport — far and wide did they wander with- out compass to guide. Their vessels were built of timber that is now eagerly sought by the first maritime nation of the earth. A people, some of whose leaders boasted of never having slept by a cottage fire, became the dread of Christendom. They ruled the waters from the Arctic ocean to the Azores — they passed between the pillars of Hercules — they ravaged the coasts of Spain and France — sacked the cities of Tuscany — drove the Saracens from Sicily. They desola- ted the classic fields of Greece — penetrated the walls of Constantino- ple. Yes, in rescuing the Holy Sepulchre, they led the van of the chivalry of Europe. Mark their valor and their success. For one hundred Northmen knights, with one aid or squire each, drove ten thousand Saracens from Sicily. Scott gives a beautiful description of this remarkable people, in speaking of the Western Isles. " Thither came in times afar, Stern Lochlin's sons of roving war 5 The Northmen, trained to spoil and blood. Skilled to prepare the raven's food ; Kings of the main, their leaders brave, Their barks the dragons of the wave."* Seest thou the tiny fleet of some school boy, launched on an insula- ted sheet of water } And such were the greatest armaments of the fa- mous nations of antiquity, compared with those of the Northmen. The present illustrious queen of England is a direct descendant of the Northmen. It will be recollected that Hollo, the Norman, invaded France in 912, and enthroned himself in the north. In 1066, William of Normandy conquered England. These sovereigns were Northmen, and from their family the pride and glory of Great Britain descended. * In describing king Harold's ship it is said — "And dragons' heads adorn the prow of gold.'' 3 18 A LECTURE ON THE At the beginning of the eleventh century, the Danes and Norwegians were converted to Christianity, and thereby received a new impulse, that led them to extend the blessings of the Gospel. And who, but this people, could ever have established missions in Greenland ? What shall we say of the ahilily of the Northmen to record inci- dents of their voyage ? In the year 1000, on their conversion to Christianity, they adopted the Roman alphabet. This was their Augustan age. The thirst of the Icelanders for learning, is seen in the conduct of Ulfijot, their supreme legislator, who, in 925, undertook a voyage to Norway, in his sixtieth year, to acquire a more perfect knowledge of the legal customs and in- stitutions of the parent country. In Iceland, the learned were called Skalds and Sagamen. The former were poets and historians. Skalds denote " Smoothers or polishers of language. The Sagamen recited in prose, with greater detail, what the Skalds liad recited in verse. By the recitations of the Skalds, the real and traditionary history of the country was transmitted from generation to generation. Memory is perhaps the most improvable faculty of our nature. De- prived of books, it depends upon its own resources. Its strength is seen in the following instance : An Icelandic Skald sang sixty different lays in one evening, before King Harold Sigurdson, and being asked if he knew any more, declared that these were only the half of what he could sing. Their traditionary histories were written down and preserved. As poetry is among the antiquities of all nations, the events it re- cords have ever been preserved by the recitations of Skalds, Minstrels, or Bards. And whom does the conqueror of Wales cut off from the land } Does not Edward the First, of England, destroy the minstrels of Wales, lest they should, by their recitations, awaken that spirit of lib- erty in the breast of the vanquished, which would lead them to throw off the yoke of the British monarch .? These Skalds were distinguished men — the companions of kings. They were sometimes kings, as in the instance of Regnar Lodbrok. The Sagamen made their recitations in public and private, at con- venient opportunities. If Augustus delighted to have Virgil and Horace on either hand, so the Scandinavian mdnarchs rejoiced to have Skalds and Sagamen in their presence. At solenni feasts, the services of these men were required. Ssemund, in 1056, collected the different poems relating to the my- thology and history of the north. The collection was called the " Poetic Edda." He was a man of learning, having been educated at the universities of Germany and France. He performed for the ancient poems, the same office which is said DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 19 to have been done by the ancient Gi'eek rhapsodist, who first collected and arranged the songs of his predecessors, and reduced them to one continuous poem, called Homer's Iliad. Snorre Sturslon, judge of Iceland, was the most distinguished scholar of his day. His principal work was the Prosaic Edda. It treats, in particular, of Scandinavian mythology. He lived in 1178. His bath still attracts the attention of the traveller. The aqueduct of il is five hundred feet long, and is composed of hewn stone, finely united by cement. The reservoir is similarly constructed, and will contain thirty persons. The water was supplied from one of their warm springs. The general characteristics of the Icelandic tongue are copiousness, energy, and flexibility, to an extent that rivals every modei'n language, and which enables it to enter into successful competition with the Greek and Latin. Were not the Icelanders then capalle of recording the events inci- dent to a voyage of discovery ? The internal evidences found in these documents ai'e in favor of their authenticity. Besides, there are in existence a series of works from the time when these voyages purport to have been made, down to the present time, which have been preserved, and which make mention of these discov- eries. Distinguished men, who have had superior opportunities of ascertain- ing the merits of this question, have come to the conclusion, that the descendants of the Scandinavians were the discoverers of America, prior to the time of Columbus. Among these are Dr. Forster, Mr. Wheaton, our Minister at the Court of Berlin, and Baron Von Hum- boldt, also of the above city. In a work sent from Denmark, are the following important remarks : " Alexander Von Humboldt, who, of all modern travellers, has thrown the greatest light on the physical circumstances, first discovery, and earliest history of America, has admitted that the Scandinavian Northmen were the true, original discoverers of the New World. He has also remarked, that the information which the public as yet pos- sesses of that remarkable epoch in the middle ages, is extremely scanty, and he has expressed a wish that the Northern Literati would collect and publish all the accounts relating to that subject." The Society of Northern Antiquarians has complied with his request, in publishing to the world the great work I before mentioned. Beside Adam of Bremen's account of the discovery of America, this great work speaks of Bishop Eric's voyage to Vinland, in 1121. Al- though Thorfin's men were driven away at fii'st by the natives, yet it is reasonable to suppose that they at length returned and formed colonies in this quarter, together with others who visited America, as named in the Icelandic MSS. If voyages were made from time to time to difterent parts of Amer- ica, by the Northmen, is it not reasonable to suppose that some parts of our country were inhabited by them for a long time, and that Bishop Eric visited Vinland to perform Episcopal duties, and that the North- men left evidences of their arts in the antiquities I will briefly name ? 20 A LECTURE ON THE How fond is man to linger around mouldering ruins — to fix the eye on the mutilated column, overgrown with ivy ; but are there not an- tiquities as worthy as those of art ? I mean those of our own species. I shall make a remark on a human skeleton I saw, not long since, at Fall River, in the vicinity of Narragansett Bay. I had an extensive view of the region around Mount Hope, lying on the west of Mount Hope Bay. How accurately is the scenery por- ti'ayed in the Icelandic documents ! In the Museum, next door to the Hotel, was the skeleton of one as illustrious as the son of Massasoit, It will be recollected that he was a distinguished chief; a firm friend of the pilgrims at Plymouth. He had two sons, Alexander and Philip. The latter was killed in a piece of woods near Fall River. Beautiful is the situation of Mount Hope. On passing it lately, the place where Philip's house stood was pointed out. Mount Hope has become a place of resort for those who wish to inhale a pure air, and to witness some of the most attractive scenery our country presents. This skeleton was dug up, a few years since, in that place. It has a breast-plate or medal hanging from its neck, thirteen inches long, and six in width at the top, and five at the bottom. It has, also, an orna- ment of fillet work around its body, four and a half inches wide. These ornaments are made of brass, or, as Dr. Webb says, of bronze. A knowledge of the uses of this artificial metal, implies a considerable advance in the arts. I witnessed lately an object of interest in the State of New York. Not long since, a large oak tree, cut down in Lyons, was taken to Newark, and on sawing it, there were found, near the centre, the marks of an axe. On counting the concentric circles, it was discov- ered, that four hundred and sixty had been formed since the cutting was made. But the most striking circumstance is, that this large cavity, now visi- ble, was made by an edged tool. The rude stone axes of the present race of Indians could never have made clefts so smooth as those I saw in the block at the Hotel in Newark. A clergyman of Cummington, Massachusetts, told me he saw a like cut in a hemlock of that place. Since made by an edged tool, three hundred and twenty-two circles had been formed. I have seen a similar cutting made in an oak tree at Lockport, prob- ably 300 years since. I examined also a piece of burnt brick taken from beneath an oak tree 2 feet 10 inches diameter, at the ruins of a fortification in Wisconsin. On further examination, I presume this skeleton, whose head is dif- ferent from that of the natives, was a Northman, and that the cuttinrrs m these trees, were made by axes wielded by the descendants of the Northmen ; for I find that the Icelandic MSS. speak of breastplates worn by the Northmen ; and as to their axes, it is stated that the natives tried them on wood, and afterwards on stone ; but the instruments used by the former to cut down maple trees, couhl not withstand the use made of them by the latter, upon stone. If it is asked what has become of the Northmen, and where are their descendants.? We answer, like the DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 21 mighty master builders of the splendid cities of Central America, of Mexico, and of the rude mounds of Ohio, they have passed into tlie shades of oblivion. An important inquiry arises. Was Columbus aware of the discover- ies by the Northmen .'' From a letter preserved by his son, it appears that he visited Iceland in 1477. And it is thought by some, that he there obtained a knowledge of the discovery of Vinland. Allowing this to be the case, it is singu- lar he should never have given any intimation of such knowledge. Instead of icalking through Spain, leading his son by the hand, would he not at once have rushed into the presence of the sovereigns, and ac- quired patronage, wealth and honor, by telling them that the obscure Icelanders had discovered the region he wished to unfold .'' His greatest enemies never accused him of having reached the new world by information received from Iceland. But as Columbus was rather artful, he might from particular motives have concealed this knowledge from the observation of mankind. After all, let not the circumstance of this prior discovery cause, in our view, the laurels given to Columbus, to wither on his bi'ow. Let us ever honor him for his perseverance and his virtues. Let not Lief, and his associate Northmen, deprive him of what the voice of nations has awarded, the merit of having given, not to Ferdi- nand and Isabella only, but to successive generations, a new world. Iceland, though but a speck on the bosom of the northern ocean, is not unworthy our notice. Though dark to the superficial observer, yet it shines with a lustre, brighter than the flame rising from its volcano. It is the light of knowledge. That obscure island is remarkable for the attention paid to learning. Even many among the common class pur- sue the higher branches of study. Their long nights are enlivened by the custom of every member of the family gathering around the bright lamp, while one reads for the amusement and instruction of all. The sources of happiness are not, like those of mighty rivers, hid from the view of most people — they are accessible to all. The Ice- landers, living in a remote island, and cut off from privileges that milder climates present, are naturally led to look for happiness in the pursuit of knowledge. If the celebrated Pliny could say his books were sovereign consolers of sorrow, cannot the Icelander also declare, that when mountain waves lash the shores, he can find pleasure in the pursuit of those studies that mend the heart and enlighten the mind ? Ah, yes, fondness for books will create an artificial summer in the depths of the most gloomy season. The sunny Italy may boast of the beauteous tints that flush her skies ; but after all, her effeminate inhabitants may be destitute of that happi- ness enjoyed by those who live where winter reigns uncontrolled most of the year. The benevolence of Deity is seen in the conLentcdness felt by those 22 A LECTURE ON THE who live in the higher latitudes, where, as a writer said of countries north of the Alps, nature seems to have acted the part of step-mother. What a contrast between the conduion of the Icelanders and that of their forefathers. They were the worshippers of the god Wodin. And what were his attributes ? He was styled the Father of Carnage ! His greatest favorites were such as destroyed most of their fellow-creatures in the field of battle. But the Prince of Peace has broken the sceptre of the Father of Carnage. The benign influence of his gospel is seen in all departments of gov- ernment. Observe its effects as seen in the difference between the feelings of Lodbrok, a Northman king, and Skald, and those evinced by one who was so successful of late in settling our border difficulties. Lodbrok, in his death song, says — " Eight earls graced my Dwina's mouths. The crimson sweat of death poured on the sullen sea." Yes, he exulted hi seeing his laurels dyed in the blood of his fellow creatures. But " peace makers" in Europe and America gaze in rapture on these of the great PACIFICATOR, while verdant under the sun of peace. Let me ask, what would have been the consequences, had Scott " let slip the dogs of war ?" Cities in flames — desolated fields — the wail of the widow and the orphan's cry ! Who would not award to such a hero, rather than to Augustus Caesar, a place among the stars ? Such is the influence of Christianity where the Northmen found those who heard tlie Great Spirit in the thunder. This, as Cicero said of Rome, is the glory of all lands. " Wisdom and knowledge are the stability of our times." All class- es become sensible that knowledge is the guardian of property. In every place, they eagerly seek after that wisdom which as Isocrates says is the only imperishable treasure. Who can stay the progress of knowledge .' You might as well think of erecting a tower whence you could grasp the Pleiades, as to attempt to oppose the march of mind. To swell the tide of improvement, it is pleasing to reflect that men of the first talents are engaged, and that through the medium of those lec- tures, which, if they are not the fountains of knowledge, are important guides to them. A word in praise of the Scandinavians. Like the Patriarch, they went in search of a region they knew not where. We praise them for their courage — we applaud them for their zeal — we respect them for their motives ; for they were anxious to enlarge the boundaries of know- ledge. They reached the wished-for land. '• Where now the wcslcni sun, O'er fields, and floods, o"er every living soul Diftuselh glad repose." DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 23 smHW hnn" ! ' ^'^^- ^P"""^ *^ *he view a broad region, where smUrng hope invites successive generations from the old world Such men as Caesar or a Tamerlane conquer but to devastate rnnn eal; .^'"''^'Tf' "'" ^"§^^"^ «f f-t^Iity -^d beau ; to those al" ready known. And are not the hardy adventurers nlous-hina t h ! K • wave, more attractive than the troops of Sander mafcwf^^^^^^ quer the world, with plumes waving in thrrntfe hT^. ^"I '''''" tTsz^r'^""' wh„Lv,fLTe'':fi?srr„rrr "To count them all demands a thousand tongues, A throat of brass, and adamantine lungs." NOTES. 1. The origin of nations and particular races of men, is involved in obscuril)'. The same objects of worship may not imply the same origin of people adopting them. For in- stance, those in the vicinity of Sumatra worship the crocodile, and so did the ancient Egypt- ians, and probably the Central Americans, as figures of crocodiles are found in their sepul- chral monuments ; still, there is no evidence that the inliabitants of these different countries were of the same origin. No connection has been discovered between Egyptian hiero- glyphics and those sculptured on the edifices of Central America. Nor has any been traced between these and the Mexican figures. I saw, however, in Delafield's work, the representation of a head of one of the Mexican emperors that resembles those found in Pa- lenque. The monumental history of Central America tell us, that this is not a new world. And we wake with astonishment that there was once the seat of a great empire, before David reigned over the twelve Tribes of Israel, or Octavius waved his sceptre over the civilized world ! 2. It is possible that the Northmen as well as those of earlier limes, had heard of a west- ern world. Seneca Diodorus Siculus, and Aristottle, speak of regions beyond the Atlantic. Plato says he saw an account in the hieroglyphics of Egypt, of a large tract of land, Atalantis, that once lay west of the straits of Gibraltar. It is thought Virgil alludes in the following' lines, to places west. In speaking of Augus- tus, he says, that-— He shall his power to India extend, Beyond the annual circle, and beyond The sun's long progress , where great Atlas bears Laden with golden stars, the glittering spheres. ^7 ' /*f LBJa-OS /e*^^:^-