and pyramidal buildings,
massive stone columns, idols, and altars covered with sculpture. The
numerous terraces and pyramids are also walled with cut stone, and
ornamented with carved heads of gigantic proportions, and colossal idols
of solid stone from ten to fifteen feet in height. The altars in front
of the statues are of single blocks of stone, many of them richly
carved, but all differing from each other. One of the most remarkable
altars stands on four globes cut out of the same stone. It is six feet
square and four feet high, its top covered with hieroglyphics, while
each side represents four individuals. The figure is sitting
cross-legged, in the Oriental fashion, and the head-dresses are
remarkable for their curious and complicated forms. All have
breastplates, and each holds some article in his hand.

From these carvings we read, though indistinctly, some of the
characteristics of the people. From the absence of all weapons of war,
however, we may suppose them peaceable, though grossly idolatrous, and,
from being unwarlike, easily subdued.

On entering the town, after some adventures, Mr Stevens made his way to
an area, which he ascertained to be a square, with steps on all sides,
almost as perfect as those of the Colosseum. He ascended the steps,
which were ornamented with sculptures, till he reached a broad terrace,
one hundred feet in height, overlooking the river. The whole terrace
was covered with trees, among which were two gigantic cotton-trees of
about twenty feet in circumference, extending their roots fifty to one
hundred feet round, and which had, in many places, displaced the stones.
Among other ornaments were rows of gigantic heads, which, no doubt,
were intended to represent those of apes; for amongst the fragments were
the remains of the body of a colossal ape, strongly resembling in
outline and appearance one of the four monstrous animals which once
stood in front of the obelisk of Luxor, and which, under the name of
Cynocephali, were worshipped at Thebes. This fragment was about six
feet high.

No verbal description can give a correct idea of the elaborate
workmanship of the numberless idols. One, described by Mr Stevens as
the most beautiful in Copan, he considers equal to the finest Egyptian
sculpture; and thinks, indeed, it would be impossible, with the best
instruments of modern times, to cut stones more perfectly. They are
generally from twelve to fourteen feet in height, a