MR. SHIPHARD'S LECTURE ON ANCIENT AMERICA.
THE announcement of a lecture on the ruined cities of Central Ame- rica, illustrated by scenic views of the buildings, painted from Mr. CATErnawoon's sketches, led us to attend at Miss KELLY'S little Theatre in Dean Street the other evening, in expectation that some new light would be thrown on a subject of considerable interest. Nor was this expectation altogether disappointed ; though the gleams of information imparted by the lecturer were so scattered and fitful that his know- ledge served rather to darken than to elucidate the subject. This was (Awing to Mr. SHIPHARD'S inexperience and want of tact in addressing a mixed assembly, and to the crude and disjointed form in which he brought forth his materials : in short, we had the rough notes of a discourser, instead of a complete and connected discourse. The learned lecturer seemed to have overlooked the circumstance that his audience were not conversant with the subject, and could only follow him into the depth of his researches and speculations by having a clue and knowing the ground to be passed over. The scenic maps, views of temples and idols, and the representation of a temple restored, showing a grand religious ceremony of the Mexicans, were strikingly beautiful. Had Mr. SHIPHARD as clearly explained his views, he might
have made some converts to his theory, that the existing North Ameri- can Indians are the debased descendants of the Mexican race who built the ruined cities of Yucatan : as it was, the proofs and arguments he adduced in support of his opinion were too fragmentary to be con- clusive.
We gathered from some incidental allusions made by the lecturer, that he was endeavouring to form a society of some sort for diffusing po- pular information relating to the history and progress of mankind, by means of lectures illustrated by scenic representations and real objects : but the precise nature of the project did not transpire. The purpose and the means appear to be excellent ; and Mr. SHIPHARD avowed that he only came forward himself in default of more efficient aid.
Previous page
