154 APPENDIX. 



sions from a simple contemplation of the monuments themselves, unaided by the 

 suggestions of analogy, or the evidence furnished by the concurrent practice of all 

 early nations.* 



When, however, we find these conclusions sustained by analogies of the most 

 striking character, and discover that the mythological and philosophical notions 

 of primitive nations exhibited themselves in a symbolical system which extended 

 even to the form, position, and ornaments of their temples, then our conclusions 

 become invested with a double value, and we proceed with some degree of confidence 

 to inquire how far we are justified in supposing that the ancient structures of the 

 Mississippi valley indicate the character of the worship to which they were dedi- 

 cated. We have, it is true, neither the light of tradition nor of history to guide 

 our inquiries ; the very name of the mysterious people by whom these works were 

 erected is lost to both, and a night darker than that which was prophesied should 

 shroud the devoted " cities of the plain " rests upon them. Under these disad- 

 vantages, every attempt to clear up the darkness may fail ; if, however, but par- 

 tially successful, if but a single ray of light be directed upon the subject of our 

 inquiries, the attempt will not be in vain, nor stand in need of an apology. 



By far the larger proportion of the sacred structures of our country are circular 

 in form ; so also were the temples of the ancient Celts, for the received reason 

 that they were dedicated to the worship of the Sun, whose most obvious and 

 almost universal s5^mbo] is the circle. Assuming, upon the basis of this and 

 other analogies, that their circular form is allusive to the former existence, among 

 the people by whom they were built, of a similar system or form of worship, what 

 further support do we find for the assumption, in the known religious notions of 

 the various American tribes and nations? If, in answer to this question, it should 

 be found that Sim Worship, if not of universal prevalence, greatly predominated 

 throughout the continent, the assumption already so well sustained by analogy 

 rises into the dignity of a well supported hypothesis. 



It has already been remarked, in another connection, that the worship of the 

 Sun was not less general in America than it was at one period among the primi- 

 tive nations of the Old World. It existed among the savage hunter-tribes and 

 among the semi-civilized nations of the South ; where it assumed its most compli- 

 cated and imposing form, and approximated closely to that which it sustained at 

 an early period among the Asiatic nations, — the Egyptians, Assyrians, Hindoos, 

 Scythians, and their offshoots in Europe. It is well known that it predominated 

 in Peru, and was intimately connected with the civil institutions of that empire. 

 The race of the Incas claimed their descent from the sun ; to that luminary they 

 erected their most gorgeous temples ; and the eternal fire, everywhere emblematic 

 of its influences, was watchfully maintained by the virgins consecrated to its ser- 

 vice. The royal Inca himself officiated as priest of the sun, on every return of 

 its annual festival. The Peruvians also paid adoration to the moon, as the " wife 

 of the sun," — a clear recognition of the doctrine of the reciprocal principles. In 



* "Nothing," says M. Leibnitz, -'happens without a reason why it happens so rather than otherwise/ 



