A few words are required in reference to Dr. Robertson's History of America. It was the present writer's original intention to have formed a chapter upon that Historian's conclusions, in regard to the absence of civilization by the Aborigines of the Western Continent,--or rather that portion contemplated by Spanish history: but upon reflection, it was considered unjust to his memory and well-merited fame, to prove those conclusions were erroneous and false,--for Robertson and the age in which he wrote (1770-80), were in total ignorance of the existence of the now celebrated Temples of Copan, Palenque, and Uxmal, and the many Cities of ancient days newly discovered in the Western Hemisphere. Refutation is unrequired by argument, when the basis of conclusions is founded in ignorance of all the premises necessary to sustain the superstructure:--his conclusions must, therefore, necessarily fall to the ground,--and consequently his Volumes upon America cannot now be received either in the library or academy--(as far as concerns the Aborigines, their works, or their ancestors)--as the standard History of that Continent. CHAPTER VII. THE RELIGIOUS AND NATIONAL ANALOGIES BETWEEN THE TYRIANS AND MEXICAN ABORIGINES--THE TRADITIONS OF THE LATTER, &c. SECTION I. ANALOGIES IN RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND IDOLS OF WORSHIP--SATURN--APOLLO--ASTARTE, &c.--THE EMBLEM OF THE CROSS, &c. In investigating the important similitudes contemplated in this, and the following Sections of the present Chapter, the word _Mexican_ (for convenience) will be understood to comprehend all the Western Continent in its ancient condition--not essentially _North_ America;--and by the words "ancient condition" we would be understood to mean, that period of time, anterior to the landing of Columbus. [1492 A. D.] The Tyrian customs will be brought forward, and then compared with the Mexican. The history of Tyrus will not be required here, that interesting branch of our subject is reserved for the Second Book of the present Volume. The Religious ceremonies of the Tyrians would have been lost, but for their being preserved by the Carthaginians,--a colony from Tyrus,--and between whom there existed the strictest union and friendship,--and may justly be supposed to have practised the manners and customs of the Parent country. The Tyrians, also, would follow the customs of the Sidonians, and the Canaanites, their original ancestors. Gathering, therefore, evidences of Religious ceremonies from Canaan, Sidon, Tyrus, and Carthage,--for they were all of the Phœnician family,--we shall include those nations under one general term,--viz. _Tyrian_,--for the same convenience as the term _Mexican_ is used. Not only will the Tyrian customs be gathered from the nations mentioned, but from the Bible also,--so that the reader will perceive, that the ground for sustaining our superstructure is not a light, or a sandy one.