The Tyrian God Saturn, was represented in Asia and Africa by a large metal Statue,--the figure was bent slightly forward, with the hands extended, as in the act of receiving, or soliciting:--the arms and hands were in that position, that upon the child being placed in the hands of the Statue, the weight of the smallest infant was sufficient to displace its position, and consequently, it instantly slipped from the hands of the Idol into a fiery furnace,--ever burning beneath this God of Infanticide! In this manner were the most beautiful children of the Phœnicians destroyed, as an offering to the insatiate Moloch. This Canaanitish practice, which was feared by MOSES, was actually practised centuries after by his People, for another Prophet speaking of the impending downfall of Jerusalem, and of her accumulated sins, says, "Moreover _thou hast_ taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast born unto me; and these hast thou sacrificed unto them [false gods], to be devoured [by flames],--* * *--thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass _through the fire_ for them." [Ezekiel xvi. 20-21.] Now the Sculpture of the Ruins in Mexican America illustrates this very custom of the Tyrians,--and as it was one of the greatest importance with that nation, so has it received more attention than any other subject. It can readily be imagined how many stages in the progress of this infanticide would be in the Tyrian nation,--as thus,--the Mother bringing the child;--the reception by the Priests,--the sorrow of the Parent, and other incidents in analogy with the subject. The Sculpture of the ruined Temples at Palenque, presents many of the progressive steps towards a consummation of the sacrifice,--as thus,--Female figures, erect, adorned with jewels and ornaments,--each figure with a child in her arms, not in the attitude of receiving a Mother's nourishment, but held by the Parent in such a manner, as if in sorrowful contemplation of her infant victim:--the costume, also, is essentially important, for the Tyrian Children were selected from families possessing station, wealth, and power. Other female figures are represented seated, and in the most melancholy postures, with downcast heads and looks, as if mourning for that loss, which had made them Motherless! In an inner apartment, believed to be the _sanctum_ of a Temple, is sculptured (in _basso_) the resemblance of the dread Altar, portraying the entrance of the fiery furnace,--_for even the bars and grating are distinctly visible_; a large and monstrous Mask, or demoniac face is directly above the fire-grating,--presenting that of the remorseless Deity. On either side of the Altar-furnace and Mask of Saturn, is stationed a young and an elderly Priest of sacrifice, both standing, erect, upon crushed and prostrate human beings: the Priests have their hands and arms elevated, _and each holds an infant_,--raised up towards the demon-deity, as if in the act of