THE BUILDING OF THE CITIES, TEMPLES, AND PYRAMIDS, THE RUINS OF WHICH HAVE LATELY BEEN DISCOVERED. _Arrangement of Facts and Arguments_ FOR THE PRESENT VOLUME. In the endeavour to establish this important Epoch recourse must be had to the same train of argument as that used in the preceding pages--viz., that where the _written_ law does not exist, that which is _unwritten_ must be brought forward as evidence to support and sustain conclusions, and to this must be added the powerful witness of strong and perfect analogy, for the essential purposes of identity. Believing that the reader is convinced that the natives of North America are of a distinct race to those inhabiting the other portion of the Continent, as already illustrated by the contrasts in their Religious and Political policies, and even by their physical analogies, the necessity now arises of completely identifying those of Mexican America, as we have slightly those of the North,--sufficient however for the division of the races. In the preceding title of the First Epoch of this History, is not only stated the Nation from whence they came, but even the Year in which they landed! To support these startling assertions, to make their truth apparent to the reader,--to convince his understanding and crush all doubts,--that even History may place the Volume within her archives, requires a basis of argument which shall be rock-built, that the superstructure about to be raised, while it invites, may yet resist (not defy) the storms and shafts of criticism; but, as a strong cemented edifice requires the warm influence of the Sun to secure the component parts,--so do we look for the sun-smile from the just and mild eye of the true critic, which will not glance upon only one part of the composition, but view each as required to form the consistency of the entire building; and when the edifice is finished, whether the entablature will remain blank, or bear our humble name, is not for us to determine or command; yet in reference to the latter and natural hope, the sentiment of the Senator of Utica will direct us,--that if we cannot "command success," at least we will endeavour to "_deserve_ it." The following investigation and arrangements of argument are required for the elucidation of this Epoch, and then from the _summary_ of evidence _and from that only_, the reader, as a jury, will form his verdict: viz.-- 1. Are the Fine Arts of sufficient authority to be received as evidence for establishing historical records or events? 2. The fact of the Discovery of the Ruined Cities in Mexican America--their description, locality, and character, established. 3. The Religious and National Analogies and Traditions, between the ancient Tyrians and the Mexican Aborigines will be investigated, and their Identity established. 4. The Mexican innovations upon the customs of the Tyrians will be explained.