44 



of cities, of palaces and temples, in the most southern 

 provinces bordering on Guatemala. Whether they 

 were overpowered and destroyed by the red men, whose 

 march is indicated by their rude devices as from north 

 to south, and whether either had any connection with 

 the aborigines we have displaced, are subjects of great 

 interest to the American historian ; and we congratu- 

 late ourselves that they will be investigated by one who 

 has given such evidence of his industry and capacity 

 as the accomplished author of "Ferdinand and Isa- 

 bella." 



The last section, that of Literature and the Fine Arts, 

 cannot be treated worthily without exceeding very much 

 the limits of this discourse. The importance of culti- 

 vating and using our utmost efforts to improve the lite- 

 rature of our country, must be apparent to all. It is 

 the vehicle of science, and upon its character the dig- 

 nity and reputation of a nation depend. It exercises a 

 controlling influence on the public liberties. The pa- 

 triotic citizen who would, either in the forum or through 

 the press, warn his fellow-citizens of impending danger, 

 or enlighten them on their interests who would dissi- 

 pate ignorance, correct error, or reform abuse must 

 borrow the tones and wield the energies of literature. 

 Our freedom reposes on the guarantee of our political 

 institutions ; and who can wrest them from our pos- 

 terity, with a competent literature to inculcate and vin- 

 dicate its doctrines and principles, and to proclaim its 

 rights ? 



Literature and the fine arts go hand in hand. The 

 flourishing condition of the first is a sure prelude to the 

 advancement of the latter ; and their united influence 

 add, in a high degree, to the enjoyment of human ex- 



