"That the inhabitants of the Canary Islands should have adopted a practice of embalming in some measure similar to that of the Egyptian is rather singular,—seeing they were separated from each other by the entire breadth of Northern Africa." [p. 237.]
Now the above author assumes, as a necessity,—that the ancient Guanches (Canarians) must have emigrated by land,—otherwise the sentence "entire breadth of Northern Africa" is uselessly brought forward to express the barrier between the Islands and Egypt. The emigration by land cannot be sustained, but is absolutely rejected, from the fact, that the Guanches must have had navigable means to have reached the chief Islands even after they had arrived upon the Shores of the Continent,—which are nearly 150 miles from Teneriffe. This fact then points to a nation having acquaintance with Egypt, and the means of Navigation,—and also of one "advanced in civilization," for such were the now extinct nation of the Guanches, as related by Spanish historians. Truth seems at once to point to the Tyrians as the Aborigines of those Islands.
Mr. Pettigrew probably forgot that Herodotus has recorded the celebrated Egypto-Tyrian expedition around the Continent of Africa, and which occurred 609—606 years before Christ. It is apparent that the Fortunatæ Insulæ,—as the Canary Islands were called by the Ancients,—were discovered during the three years voyage related by the Greek historian, for they were known to the Tyrians centuries before the Christian Æra. This celebrated expedition, and the proofs of its being accomplished, will be investigated and established in the pages devoted to the History of Tyrus.
After the direful event which drove the Tyrians for ever from the Mediterranean (which will be elucidated hereafter), we believe that their first resting-place was among the Canary Islands,—and as the Peak of Teneriffe arose as a welcome beacon,—that Island became to them the chief place of temporary residence after their fortunate escape. It appears almost evident that the group was then named by the Tyrians,—for as the Fortunate Isles they are known in ancient geography. The name seems to allude to some "foregone conclusion," a peculiarly happy circumstance (i. e. escape from foe or wreck) being connected with the naming.
That the Aborigines of these Islands, and those of Ancient America were the same, will be admitted from the Mummies discovered in the two Countries. They are identical with each other, and they are not Egyptian,—for they lack the stone Sarcophagi, the hieroglyphics and the mummy Cloths. The mummies of Peru and Teneriffe are bound in skins of animals,—(a custom no where else found, although it is recorded of the Scythians)—those of the former in the skin of the lama,—those of the latter in the goat-skin, an animal with which the Island abounded, and with the skins of which the original inhabitants clothed themselves. The Mummies of both Countries are also, bound within the skins by leather thongs and straps, made from the hides of the respective animals. Such facts cannot be accidental,—they must be identical.
The manner described above, may have been the custom throughout all Mexican America;—that they are only discovered at Arica in Peru, may arise from natural causes,—viz., at Arica the rain never falls (as in Egypt) and the soil is calcareous,—and the dryness of the atmosphere, with the saline qualities of the earth, produce natural embalming; thus preserving the body for ages from decomposition,—while in other portions of the Continent, from the moisture, and the absence of the preserving qualities, the bodies would gradually decay, and return and mingle with the undistinguishing dust of centuries. Many analogies are found to the Tyrians, in the details and decorations of the Peruvian Mummies,—both of the rich and the poor. Those of the poor are invariably found resting upon beds of broken fish-shells;—these beds are supposed to be placed there for "religious motives." May not the purple murex (i. e. dye shellfish) of Tyrus (as on the Altar of Copan) be here alluded to by this religious custom? In the same Mummy-pits (and they extend over a mile) are found various models of boats, lines, and fish-hooks; these are buried with the Mummies, and they are evident witnesses of the occupation,—or the "religious motives" of the departed. Is not Tyrus here also?—her fisheries were her National emblems. And that this custom (whereby the means of sustenance were obtained) was practised in South America by the Aborigines, is distinctly stated by Dr. Robertson, upon the authority of Berrere. The statement, also, shews that the distinction between those of the North and South, or Mexican America is apparent,—those of the former depended upon hunting for their sustenance,—those of the latter,—or the Tyrian descendants,—as did their ancestors, upon their fisheries. Robertson says—"In this part of the globe (i. e. South America) hunting seems not to have been the first employment of men, or the first effort of their invention and labour to obtain food. They were fishers before they became hunters." [Vol. v., Book iv., p. 318.]
The boat-model is directly emblematical of a Religious custom of Tyrus,—copied from the Egyptian,—viz., the belief that the Soul had to pass through various stages and translations, before it reached its final destination or happiness. To accomplish this, the body was to pass over a River,—in a sacred-barge or boat:—the the helmsman was called by the Egyptians in their own language,—Charon. The Classic reader will instantly trace the mythological fable of Greece, concerning the Ferryman of the River Styx,—probably introduced into Grecian Thebes by the Tyrian Cadmus.
The Mummies of the rich discovered in Peru, are invariably wrapped in cloth, crimson (purple) coloured;—here then is the National colour of Tyrus, (derived from the shellfish) and which made that country so renowned. The colour itself is found enveloping the bodies of the rich,—while the useless and "broken shells" are found beneath the Mummies of the poor,—the same National tribute to both,—though in degree, according to the wealth of the deceased;—for the Tyrians, like the Egyptians, would not admit of any distinction in the grave, as to rank or title;—but, believed that in the great Republic of Death, all were equal,—and,—as in the Kingdom of Kingdoms,—that good deeds alone constituted the true distinctions.
In a notice of the Ancient Mummies of Teneriffe, the Baron Humboldt states, that they differ from the Egyptians in physiognomy, and that the ornaments resemble those used in Mexican America! Now when the illustrious Traveller wrote those facts (as shewn in the following quotation), there was no Theory in his mind in reference to the Tyrians,—yet his remarks will support this present History, and they are too important, as to undeniable authority, to be passed by indifferently by the reader. Baron Humboldt says—