"Within this enclosure are two rectangular courtyards, having ranges of steps ascending to terraces. The area of each is about forty feet from the river. On one side at the foot of the pyramidal wall is another monument or idol, [_i. e._ sculptured obelisk]. It is about the same height as the others (in all fourteen), but differs in shape, being larger at top than below. Its appearance and character are tasteful and pleasing." We desire to call the particular attention of the reader to the following piece of sculpture, as it will hold a conspicuous position as we advance in this volume. "Near this [idol last mentioned] is a _remarkable altar_, which perhaps presents as curious a subject for speculation as any monument at Copan. The altars, like the idols, are all of a single block of stone. In general, they are not so richly ornamented, and are more faded and worn, or covered with moss. All differed in fashion, and doubtless had some distinct and peculiar reference to the idols before which they stood." Each of the idols, therefore, had an altar before it, and each of the altars had its relative idol, _except_ the one about to be described. "This altar stands on four globes (?) cut out of the same stone: the sculpture is in _bas-relief_, and it is the _only specimen of that kind of sculpture found at Copan_, all the rest being in bold _alto-relievo_." By a reference to the map for its locality, we find that it is situated nearly in the very centre of the vast Temple. This, together with its being alone, unassociated with an Idol--the sculpture being entirely different, and "the only specimen" found there, all the others being in _alto_, but this in _basso_--(a proof of its greater antiquity)--the very stone seems to find a voice to proclaim that it was the Chief Altar of Copan. It may be "a curious subject," but certainly does not require much "speculation" to form a conclusion. The description of the detail of the sculpture seems to furnish another reason for believing it to be the principal Altar. "It is six feet square, and four feet high; and the top is divided into thirty-six tablets [or squares] of _hieroglyphics_, which beyond doubt _record some_ EVENT _in the history_ of the mysterious people who once inhabited the city." This we distinctly believe; and that the _sculpture_ about to be described, TRANSLATES THE HIEROGLYPHICS, and those being translated, the "event in the history" is then arrived at. Whether we have accomplished this or not, the reader will judge as he proceeds,--for we have looked upon this Chief Altar as the "Rosetta-stone" of the ruins--the Key-stone in the arch of mystery.