1868.] 435 IPeale. 



It must be begun f^xr back in antiquity, for it has its begin- 

 ning at a date whicli approaclies to primeval times. 



In the Imperial Museum in Pekin, China, there is deposited 

 a large number of bronze vases,* some of which, after critical 

 examination, date in origin as early as the Second Dynasty 

 ("des Chang"), which terminated 1766 j^ears before our era. 

 These vases have been carefully figured ; they exhibit jjeculiar 

 and fine forms, and are most elaborately ornamented.f P'ig. 1 , 

 Plate XI. An examination of these vases shows there was, at 

 that early date, an ornamental device much used for works of 

 art, which is now well known, and in high estimation. It is 

 called in French " Meandre," Fig. 2, Plate XI, in the language 

 of architecture the Greek-fret, in consequence of its employ- 

 ment, by that tasteful people, upon their most perfect specimens 

 of the ceramic art, and in personal and all other decoration. 



We call it Greek and classic, and doubtless have derived it. 

 from that refined nation, but, as shown, it was used by the 

 Chinese before the Greeks were a nation, and I have now to 

 show, that it has its origin in man's organization and endow- 

 ment, whatever its antiquity may be. Fig. 1, Plate XII, is 

 drawn from a specimen of ancient Mexican manufacture, in the 

 Cabinet of the American Philosophical Society, being a frag- 

 ment of pottery in the collection presented by the late J. R. 

 Poinsett. 



In this specimen the convolutions are complex, and remind 

 one of the elaborate examples seen in the embellishments and 

 decorations of our books and dwellings. And finally, and 

 most unexpectedly, we find an attempt or effort (or by what- 

 ever term it ma}^ be expressed), to delineate the same orna- 

 mental device indicated in the pottery of the aborigines of 

 this country, of which Fig. 2, Plates XII and IX, are drawings, 

 from specimens in my collection found in the vicinit}' of Lam- 

 bertsville, Xew Jersey, which were made, there is no doubt, 

 by the practised hands of the Minsi Tribe heretofore noticed. 



These examples tell their own story so plainl}^, that com- 

 ment upon them is unnecessar}^, but, it may be added, that many 

 of what we call novelties in modern affairs, are only the forgot- 

 ten facts of previous ages. 



* "Historical Description of China." M. G. Pauthier, Paris, 1839. 

 f " Generic name Ting Tripod, principally used for sacrifices," 

 Pauthier. 



