Four Views of a Sculpturd Bone (supposed to be the Femur

of an Elk) found in an ancient Indian Grave.or Barrow.

in the Town of Ancinnati, on the River Ohio, 1801.

FOR THE PORT FOLIO.-AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.

MR. OLDSCHOOL,

Cincinnati, Feb. 20, 1814.

I send you enclosed correct representations of what I take to be the femur of an elk. Fig. 1 and 3 exhibit the two sides, and fig. 2 and 4 the two edges or narrow surfaces of the bone; the whole rudely sculptured with various yet corresponding designs. Those marked b b appear to be hieroglyphical, as are likely all the rest. Of the former, the figure on the left hand, resembling the letter M, may possibly denote an Indian council-house: that on the right, a wigwam; it having a form common at this day among many of the north-western tribes and by which, it is likely, some town or lodge was meant. The third represents a mountain; the fourth two wigwams, joined together, denoting, perhaps, one or more towns, or a confederacy of nations. The line which passes under their base, may signify the route observed in some expedition carried on; or communication between them. The two designs, marked a. a. a. as seen on figs. 1, 3 and 4, each bearing a rude resemblance to some bird, may possibly be the armorial badge of a particular tribe or nation of savages-But these are mere surmises. As to the remaining designs, I cannot even conjecture their meaning, if any they have. Perhaps some one of your correspondents may be able to shed a gratifying ray of light on the matter. Fig. 5 is an inside view of the bone, where, at c, it has evidently been cut through, transversely, with an implement serving the purpose of a saw..

It may not be improper to add a few words concerning the spot where this and many other subjects, no less curious, were found. Within the town of Cincinnati are extensive remains of earthen fortifications and other works of the aborigines, among which are several tumuli. They may possibly be the foundation of a future letter. A circular tumulus, or mound, seventy feet, or more, in diameter at its base, but of no great height, occupied a spot on the brink of an elevated range of table land, on which the upper town is built. The principal street, running through this mound, has nearly levelled the whole of it. It was here the present subject was discovered, as also another bone, apparently the femur of a deer, covered with sculpture, partly similar to this in design. I took a drawing of that also; but, it being mislaid, I am prevented

from coupling it with the one now enclosed. It had been converted into an imperfect wind instrument of music, as appears by certain circular perforations; and, perhaps, the present is an unfinished specimen of the same sort. The mound was a cemetery of undoubted antiquity; for, on counting the annulars of the stump of a tree that had grown on it, they exceeded four hundred in number. The interior being much decayed, the full age of the tree could not be ascertained; nor was it possible to determine whether this was a first, or an after growth. Many curious articles have, at times, been discovered here, interred (according to ancient custom) with their former owners, and designed both for use and ornament. Among the former, were fibule of copper, cannel coal and stone: among the latter, various works in crystal, marble, copper, &c. An imperfect account of some of these, illustrated by a plate, or plates, may be seen in the fourth volume of the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.

G. TURNER.

FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

NOTICE OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION IN THE ACADEMY OF THE FINE ARTS.

Amidst the din of arms and the discordant conflict of political parties, it is some consolation to the lovers of learning and taste to find, that the arts and sciences amongst us continue in a state of progressive improvement.

The great Ruler of the universe has decreed, that the physical as well as the moral world should be subject to a perpetual change. The oak, at first a tender plant, by slow degrees advances in size, strength, and beauty, putting forth his wide-spreading branches, ⚫ assumes a lofty and magnificent appearance, and becomes at length the monarch of the forest; but the axe of the conqueror, worms of faction, the lightning of heaven, or the steady hand of time terminates his existence, to make room for others. Thus, while the individual perishes, the species is preserved. The birds of the air, and even the winds of heaven are auxiliaries in scattering the seeds of vegetation.

Nations, like plants or animals, experience all the vicissitudes of infancy, maturity, and old age. In the history of the world, we can imperfectly trace the progress of the arts from Hindostan to Egypt, from Egypt to Greece, and from Greece to Italy. The ruins of Athens, Palmyra, and ancient Rome, contain some monuments that neither the hands of barbarism nor time itself have yet been able to destroy. The remains of the former splendour of those once renowned cities, are melancholy pictures of human greatness, and prove, at the same time, the fallibility of all political institutions.

Europe, at present the favourite seat of learning and the arts, is now shaken to her centre by a sanguinary contest for power. Within the short period of twenty years, millions of her citizens have perished by the sword, flourishing cities have been depopulated and destroyed, and commerce, the great source of national prosperity, and the hand-maid of the arts, left in many parts to languish, and in some to expire.

The experience of ages has amply proved that the arts and sciences can never be destroyed. Old empires will pass away, and new ones (like the Phoenix) arise from their ashes. The winds of heaven will continue to carry the seeds of knowledge from one part of the world to another until the end of time.

"Liberty and the arts (says a celebrated philosopher) appear to be travelling westward." The discovery of America forms an important era in the history of the world. In less than two centuries, a great nation, containing eight millions of inhabitants, and possessing all the comforts and nearly all the luxuries of life, has grown out of a forest. The fine arts have already taken root among us, and require only culture and patronage to insure their growth and prosperity.

In this country there are yet but few painters, and those few depend for a subsistence almost wholly on portrait painting. The seat of the general government is fixed in a district where the present population is by no means adequate to the support of any thing like a national school of art; and the sovereignty of the individual states renders it extremely difficult to locate a public institution for the cultivation of the fine arts throughout the United States. The society of artists (now incorporated under the title of