Mrs. Le Plongeon and I have written two works on Yucatan. One is: "Monuments of Mayax, and their historical teachings." The other: "Yucatan, its ancient palaces and modern cities; life and customs of the Aborigines." We have offered them to several publishing houses, but the same answer has been given by all. "There is no money in the publication of such books; American readers do not care for this subject." Notwithstanding such rebuffs, I made up my mind to present to American readers some of the historical facts that have been brought to light by deciphering the bas-reliefs and mural inscriptions, by means of the ancient hieratic Maya alphabet discovered by me. I offer them in this small volume that I take pleasure in dedicating to Mr. Pierre Lorillard, as the most worthy of it among the Americans, for his generous help to students of American archæology. [Illustration: Ancient Maya Hieratic alphabet according to mural inscriptions.] [Illustration: Egyptian Hieratic alphabet according to Messrs. Champollion le Jeune and Bunsen.] If the perusal of this book fails to awaken in this country an interest in ancient American civilization and history, then I will follow the advice said to have been given by Jesus of Nazareth to his disciples when sending them on their mission of spreading the gospel among the nations: "And whomsoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet...." St. Mark, chap. vi., verse 11—for I shall consider it useless to spend more time, labor, and money on the subject in the United States, remembering the fate of Professor Morse, when he asked Congress for permission to introduce his electric telegraph in this country. In this small book (which two of the most prominent firms in New York have positively refused to publish believing it to be a bad speculation), I present only such facts as can be proved by the works of well-known writers ancient and modern, and by the inscriptions carved on stone by the Maya learned men and historians. It is for you, Reader, to judge if they are worthy your consideration. ILLUSTRATIONS.[1] ---- PAGE. Symbolical stone found in the Mausoleum of high pontiff Cay at Chichen. 19 View of the pyramid called "House of the Dwarf," at Uxmal, 34 Ground plan of the Sanctuary, 35 Ground plan of the Temple of Mysteries, 36 Part of cornice surrounding the Sanctuary, 39 Cross bones and skeletons carved on the cornice of the Sanctuary, 39 Part of a statue with apron on which is sculptured the image of an extended hand. (From Uxmal.) 40