May

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

SIR THOMAS ERSKINE, BARON FARNBOROUGH, an English 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); "Democracy in Europe: a History" (2 vols. 1877). He died in Westminster Palace, May 18, 1886. MAYA (mä'yä) INDIANS, a race of aborigines of Yucatan, supposed to be the builders of Uxmal, Palenque, Chichen 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. written by Mayas in Maya, but with 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 were related; both adored many of the same 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 like as the Aztecs and paid more atten- sweetish, yellow pulp. tion to agriculture and the arts. The people lived well. They dressed in cotton of their own raising and weaving. 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, raised poultry, and though not roving hunters, like some tribes, they were skilled in trapping and snaring game. They surpass all American tribes in their architecture and in their carving in stone. Though without iron tools, these people were able to erect fine buildings of stone, carved with remarkable and beautiful designs. In the wild forests of Yucatan and Central America, in the midst of dense tropical woods, overgrown with trees and tangled vines, are the deserted ruins of upward of 40 ancient towns. These different towns were connected by paved roads of stone, over which couriers ran, carrying letters, along which traders bartered and dickered, and on which the forces of one town would often march out to capture and sack some other town. The buildings are very long, flattopped, one story high, and contain many 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 altar for sacrifice. The interior decoration of rooms was often elaborate, the walls being covered with stucco, on which were painted brilliant colors paintings which Purnishus 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 Palenque, where is a remarkable tablet on which is represented a sacrificial scene.