^98 GOSSIP THE AFFINITY OF RACES. 



which Lafiteu finds in a custom thus widely dispersed, but of which 

 the meaning seems to have been lost, is however of some impor- 

 tance in determining the unity of mankind, and the subject in this 

 connection deserves more attention than hitherto it seems has been 

 bestowed upon it. 



Their mode of burying the dead aiFords another important 

 instance of the primordial antiquity of the Caribs, places them on a 

 parellel in this respect with other American tribes, and without 

 furnishing any particular proof of derivation, establishes an affinity 

 with the most ancient races of the Eastern continent ; and further 

 confirms belief in the unity of mankind, and their descent from 

 Adam and Eve. The most ancient Carians intsrred their dead 

 in the same manner, and it is probable with similar ceremonies.* 

 The investigations of archa3ologists in Europe, have resulted in 

 a classification of modes of interment, which determines the com- 

 parative although not the remotest antiquity of offshoots of the 

 primitive stock farthest removed from centres of civilization ; and 

 then the gradual introduction among them of progressive arts 

 and science. The stone age, the bronze age, and the iron age, 

 represent as well as customs of burial, phases of increasing know- 

 ledge, from the rudest condition of humanity, when all remembrance 

 and all tradition of previous civilization, even in degree had been 

 lost, to periods when improvement had been introduced from abroad, 

 and in process of time matured and perfected. In the most abject 

 condition there appears no connection either with an Egyptian, 

 Assyrian, or Phoenician origin, or with any previous era. Only a 

 few customs remain to determine the original unity. Yet as far 

 back as we can obtain any knowledge of the rudest tribes, and 

 beyond all knowledge of them, we find in other regions, highly 

 civilized peoples, cultivating art and science, and manifesting a pro- 

 gress, the origin of which can be traced by the Biblical record, to 

 be coeval with man's creation, and quite apparent amongst the first 

 families of mankind. There ought to be no doubt then, from whence 

 the savage tribes derived their progressive improvement. This 

 wisdom from on High, and the capacity to improve it, has never 



♦Thucydides — Delos. 



