Illustrated memoir of an eventful expedition into Central America, resulting in the discovery of the idolatrous city of Iximaya : in an unexplored region, and the possession of two remarkable Aztec children, Maximo (the boy) and Bartola (the girl), descendants and specimen of the sacerdotal caste (now nearly extinct), of the ancient Aztec founders of the ruined temples of that country / described by John L. Stephens and other travelers ; translated from the Spanish of Pedro Velasquez of San Salvador.
- Velasquez, Pedro
- Date:
- 1860
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Illustrated memoir of an eventful expedition into Central America, resulting in the discovery of the idolatrous city of Iximaya : in an unexplored region, and the possession of two remarkable Aztec children, Maximo (the boy) and Bartola (the girl), descendants and specimen of the sacerdotal caste (now nearly extinct), of the ancient Aztec founders of the ruined temples of that country / described by John L. Stephens and other travelers ; translated from the Spanish of Pedro Velasquez of San Salvador. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
![THEIR AMERICAN REPUTATION. Previous to their European tour, the Aztecs spent a short period in this coun- try, where they attracted much of the attention which has since become univer- sal, in proportion as they have been more widely examined, and become better known. From high and intelligent sources in this country, as also from tho Press at large, numerous commendatory remarks and notices were received, a few of which are appended. * Presidential Mansion, January 21,1852. Mr. J. M. Morris : Sir—Your note of inquiry has been received, and in reply I am pleased to inform you that the visit of the Aztecs to the Executive Mansion was entertaining to us all. They are a greater phenomenon, more extraordinary in their appearance, more agreeable in their dispositions, more pleasing in their manners, and withal more intelligent, than we had anticipated. Respectfully, &c., Mrs. M. FILLMORE. THE AZTEC LILIPUTIANS. Washington, January 27th, 1852. The Aztec children, under the protection of their guardian, visited us at the Capitol to-day, and, as members of the Senate and House of Representatives, we are pleased to add our testimony in their behalf, to that already given. We consider them altogether the most remarkable specimens of animated nature we have ever witnessed ; agreeable, sprightly, interesting, and, manifesting much intelligence, and we think no person would fail to see them if a correct idea could be formed respecting them from any historical account which might pre- cede their visits. Lewis Cass, Lincoln Clark, John Jonson, Wm. H. Seward, Jos. Sutherland, S. W. Harris, Geo. W. Jones, D.K.Carter, Wilus Allen, John B. Weller, M. M. Dimmick, Thos. Bibighaus, C. T. James, W. Murray. T. Y. Walsh, W. Brooke, Alfred Gilmore, B. B. Thurston, J. Washburn, Jr., Shkpard Clemens, T. Z. Goodrich, John Pettit, C. B. Curtis, Richard Yates, James L. Ore, John Appleton, Ebon Newton, Reuben Robie, David L. Seymour, Fayette McMillan, Andrew Parker, B. Henn, and others. LETTF.il FROM PROFESSOR OWEN. PROFESSOR OWEN, the first comparative anatomist of the age, in his letter, addressed to the guardian of these little strangers, after returning thanks for the opportunity and facilities afforded him in his examination of them, says : The remarkable difference which these children present, as compared with normal European children, with analogous si ages of dentition, in thin and slender stature, ami especially in the much smaller proportion of the cranial part of the head renders them objects of peculiar interest to the physiologist and naturalist; whilst their quick percepliee faculties, their easily-excited curiosity, the mild ami in- telligent ex]>ression of their full, dark eyes, their deep-olive complexion, and the singu- larity of same of tlieir altitudes, combine to invest them with a character of peculiar singularity, which cannot fail to surprise and gratify all belwlders.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21161422_0005.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
