CHARNAY’S EXPLORATIONS IN MEXICO. 368 
adventures, his singular mastery over men, all probably older than himself, 
proved that he possessed the elements of a strong and vigorous character, from 
which a career of great distinction might be anticipated. Among the lessons that 
might be learned was that we might take a more favorable view of the native 
African character. That his men should have been so faithful to him in so many 
difficulties and temptations, and that they should have been amenable to disci- 
pline under such trying circumstances spoke as much for them as for his own 
character and power. Mr. Thomson would reach London in November, when 
he had no doubt he would receive a most satisfactory reception from the Royal 
Geographical Society. 
The last paper read consisted of notes of a journey to the Eastern Siberia 
across the Amur and Ussuri, by the Rev. H. Landsall, which gave a highly 
favorable view of prison life in the penal colonies of Russia. Mr. Landsall 
received a vote of thanks. 
CHARNAY’S EXPLORATIONS IN MEXICO. 
[Translated from ‘‘L’Exploration.”’] 
Late news from Mexico informs us that our fellow-citizen, Mr. Desiré Char - 
nay has signed a treaty with the Mexican government, whereby he is authorized 
to undertake his explorations and excavations among the ruins scattered some- 
what throughout the Mexican territory. Mr. Charnay has immediately com- 
menced his campaign, and a dispatch announces that he has already succeeded 
jn discovering, not far from Mexico, at a height of 4,000 meters above the level 
of the sea, some archzological riches, comprising tombs, vases and inscriptions 
of every kind. We have now some details on the problems to be solved :— 
A striking particularity of Central American architecture and its ornamenta- 
tion, is the resemblance, in many respects, to the styles well known to the an- 
cient world, particularly to Eastern Asia. ) 
According to Mr. Charnay, who has recently traveled in Java, the Mexiean 
teocalis (houses of God) present some characters almost identical with the temples 
of Java, and of Cambodge, and Mr. Ferguson, who partakes of this opinion, goes 
so far as to say that the resemblance between the Boro-Budor and the temple of 
Tochicalo, or between the pyramids of Suku and of Ojaca is too striking to be 
explained on the supposition of accidental coincidence. The palace of the 
governor of Uxmal displays some ornaments which have altogether the aspect of 
Greek designs. Some magnificent vases, reliefs and busts, Greek at least in 
style, have been found at Ojaca and in other places. At Palenque some Jéas- 
reliefs have a character decidedly Assyrian; at Izamal the base of a pyramid 
presents some gigantic figures which recall the Egyptian Sphinxes, and, in a 
great variety of forms, is also found the artistic spirit of China and India. 
To this accumulation and miscellany of styles is attributable the extreme va-» 
IV—24 
