As an essential contrast between the Aborigines, is the fact that in the North they have (as already stated) no tradition of the Crucifixion, while in the other portion of the Continent (and for centuries before the rediscovery by Columbus) they had a perfect knowledge of every particular of the Life and Death of CHRIST. Again;--in this part of the Continent there are Stone architectural Ruins:--in the North there are none; they possess there but embankments, Marathonian mounds or tumuli. These undeniable and characteristic opposites in Northern and Mexican America, increased by the late discovery of the Ruined Cities in Guatamala and the adjacent provinces, together with fifteen years of personal observation in America; to which may be added a practical knowledge of the Fine Arts, enthusiasm in research, and mature reflection upon the entire subject, have authorized the formation of (as we believe) an Original Theory, concerning the History of the Aborigines of the two great divisions of the Western Hemisphere; and for the unfolding of the present volume, we state, 1. _That they consist_ of TWO _distinct races, or people_. This will be, without doubt, admitted, from the facts in the previous pages. 2. _That South America_ (nationally speaking) _included what is at present called Central America; and, as a consequence, the Ancient Cities, now in Ruins, belonged to the same general Empire_. 3. _That South_, or (as we have termed it in the preceding pages) _Mexican America, was inhabited_ ANTERIOR _to that of the North_. 4. _That the Aborigines of Mexican America, and the West India Islands, were the ancient_ TYRIANS _of Phœnicia_, and that they landed _on the Western Continent, from their native country, more than two thousand years ago_! _This is confirmed by Tradition, Analogies, History, and Prophecy!_ Reasoning upon the causes that have led to the new Historical Theory, and the conclusions arising therefrom, a new Chronological or Epochian Table, as a necessity, is required for the History of the Western Hemisphere and its Inhabitants, at least to the time of Columbus. Not desiring, however, to anticipate any interest derivable from the investigation of this work, the progressive Epochs will be given in the volumes devoted to their illustration. The present volume contemplates the first Epoch only, and is announced in the following page, and the reader will do _himself_ but justice (apart from the author) by not rejecting the startling Theory until (at least) the proofs and arguments have been received and analyzed. Upon which investigation the writer will submit with all humility to the decision of the public, and of their all-powerful champion--the Press. CHAPTER III. FIRST EPOCH. _THE TYRIAN ÆRA_; BEFORE CHRIST 332 YEARS. THE LANDING IN MEXICAN (_i. e. Central_) AMERICA OF THE ANCIENT TYRIANS OF PHŒNICIA, AND