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May (SIR THOMAS ERSKINE BARON)

SIR THOMAS ERSKINE, BARON FARNBOROUGH, an English MAY, SIR THOMAS ERSKINE, historian; born in London, England, Feb. 8, 1815. He was educated at Bedford School, became assistant librarian of the House of Commons in 1831. He was called to the bar in 1838, and shortly after his retirement from office in 1886 was raised to the peerage as Baron Farnborough. His most important works are "A Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings, and Usage of Parliament" (1844); "Constitutional History of England since the Accession of George III., 1760-1860" (1861-1863; 3d ed., with supplementary chapter, 3 vols. 1871); "De- 1760-1860" (1861-1863; 3d ed., with sup- 1877). He died in Westminster Palace, May 18, 1886.

MAYA (mä'yä) INDIANS, a race of aborigines of Yucatan, supposed to be the May 18, 1886. aborigines of Yucatan, supposed to be the MAYA (mä'yä) INDIANS, a race of Itza, etc. Their history is important as throwing light on the civilization of the Central and South American races. The Mayas were the most advanced of the North American aboriginal races, but today they are sadly degraded on account of contact with the Spaniards. Old Spanish records, a very few Maya books with old picture-writing, several MSS. day they are sadly degraded on account Spanish letters, very soon after the Conquest, and ruined towns and cities, grave-mounds, and relics attest their former condition. The Mayas and Aztecs were a good deal alike. Their religions Spanish letters, very soon after the Consame deities especially, perhaps, the sun. Both worshiped idols carved from stone, and both sometimes sacrificed human victims. In methods of warfare the two people were much alike, but the Mayas, though brave, not so workers. They paid a great deal of at- They made many ornaments of gold and green stone, and were expert featherworkers. They paid a great deal of attention to bees and gathered much honey, Though without iron tools, these people hunters, like some tribes, they were skilled in trapping and snaring game.

Though without iron tools, these people They surpass all American tribes in their were able to erect fine buildings of stone, carved with remarkable and beautiful designs. In the wild forests of Yuca- tan and Central America, in the midst carved with remarkable and beautiful designs. In the wild forests of Yucatan and Central America, in the midst ruins of upward of 40 ancient towns. These different towns were connected by paved roads of stone, over which coutrees and tangled vines, are the deserted These different towns were connected by paved roads of stone, over which coutown. The buildings are very long, flatmarch out to capture and sack some other traders bartered and dickered, and on which the forces of one town would often town. The buildings are very long, flatconstructed around the sides of a square court, the doors all opening into the rooms. These buildings were sometimes constructed around the sides of a square court, the doors all opening into the court. There are also temples for purposes of worship. In such there is usually found a tablet in the wall and an tion of rooms was often elaborate, the walls being covered with stucco, on which were painted brilliant colors paintings tion of rooms was often elaborate, the walls being covered with stucco, on which the dress, manners, gods, and worship of which furnish us much information of the dress, manners, gods, and worship of the people. Often these designs are in low relief. One of the most famous Mayan works of art is in the temple at low relief. One of the most famous on which is represented a sacrificial scene.

Mayan works of art is in the temple at Palenque, where is a remarkable tablet in Porto Rico, situated on the western MAYAGUEZ, the third largest city in Porto Rico, situated on the western coast of the island. The shallow roadstead of the harbor prevents its general use by any but small steamers. While the industries are small and unimportant a considerable amount of coffee is shipped to the United States from this port. Pop. (1920) 19,069.