OF THE ANTIQUITY OF U X M A L. 325 



of copal recently burned," " the evidence of some 

 idolatry recently committed and the private title 

 papers of Don Simon, never intended to illustrate 

 any point in history, besides show^ing incidentally 

 that it was the policy of the government, and " do- 

 ing God service," to break up the Indian customs, 

 and drive the natives away from their consecrated 

 buildings, are proofs, which would be good evidence 

 in a court of law, that the Indians were, at the time 

 referred to, openly and notoriously worshipping El 

 Demonio, and performing other detestable sacrifices 

 in these ancient buildings. Can it be supposed that 

 edifices in which they were thus worshipping, and 

 to which they were clinging with such tenacity as 

 to require to be driven away, were the buildings of 

 another race, or did they cling to them because 

 they were adapted to the forms and ceremonies 

 received from their fathers, and because they were 

 the same in which their fathers had worshipped 1 

 In my mind there is but little question as to the 

 fair interpretation to be put upon these acts, and I 

 may add that, according to the deed of the notary, 

 but one hundred and fifty-four years ago the ruined 

 buildings of Uxmal had " doors" which could be 

 " opened" and " shut." 



28 



