Proceedings, &$c. xxxvii 



improvement of our species became stimulated and developed — how 

 it originated and how it advanced. I, therefore, wish to direct your 

 attention to man in the wilderness, man left to his own capacity, 

 though, be it well understood, always under the protection and 

 guidance of Divine Providence. 



Self-preservation being the first law of nature, the first object of 

 man in his primitive state must have been, as it still is found to be, 

 the support of life. The means for killing animals in the forest at- 

 tracted an early attention ; in the fragmentary rock he found the first 

 implement for this purpose. In this action we see the first proof of 

 the superiority of man over the irrational beings by which he was 

 surrounded. Man soon found his superior position, and the master- 

 ship he owned over the bear and the wolf, which, while giving him 

 food, also provided him with clothing, the first necessities of nature 

 being thus provided for. 



Archaeological researches in different parts of the world give an 

 interesting idea of the means by which the human intellect com- 

 menced its culture at the dawn of civilisation. The northern coun- 

 tries of Europe, as Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, 

 made very slow advance, owing to the severity of the climate. In 

 progress of time, the fragmentary rock of a larger size was used as 

 the means of distinguishing burial places, as may be seen in 

 those northern countries. These large blocks signalized the tombs of 

 distinguished men, as chiefs and warriors. Considering the large 

 dimensions and the great weight of such tombstones, which had to be 

 transported for long distances, further to become arranged in the 

 manner in which they are actually found, we have reason to admire 

 the ingenuity displayed. These communities have further left 

 testimonials of their higher intellectual culture in the early days 

 of their social life, represented in their traditional records, 

 or their writings, known as the "Saga," transmitted by the 

 " Rune Skrift," or hieroglyphics on stone, found in flat granite 

 blocks, purposely prepared ; these may be seen in the localities where 

 meetings, " tings," were held, marked out by granite blocks placed in 

 a circular or oval form ; these are also occasionally found at some 

 depth below the surface. * From these evidences we infer that certain 

 records, worthy of remembrance, occurred at a period when stone and 

 wood were the only substances known. 



The human family began its civilisation under equal circumstances, 

 though more or less favored by climatic influence. Very few are 

 the communities which, from so early a period of civilisation, 

 have kept testimonials transmitting their thoughts by signs or 

 writings. These facts demonstrate superiority in that branch of the 

 great family which was destined gradually to assume the supremacy 



* The Peruvian Quichuas, under the Incas, used symbolic signs, known as 

 quipos, in knotted cords of variegated colours. 



