INTERESTING DISCOVERY OF A


BURNED CITY.
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The Nantucket Inquirer contains an account al
an ancient city on the coast OF Peru, which, with
all its inhabitants had been burnedb some volcanic
or other conyulsion Of nature, and which has been
but recently discovered. The information is de-
rived from Captain B. Ray. of Nantucket, com
mander Of the ship logan, lately arrived at New
Bedford from the South Seas.


lie states, that on touching at the port OF Guar
mey, Truxillo, which is in about ten degrees oI
south latitude, he found the inhabitants engaged
in excavating the remains of subterranean city,
which they had recently discovered in their inme-
diate vicinity. He visited the spot whilst the ex-
cavations were proceeding, and examined those
portions Of the ruins and relics which had been
|explored. From the situation in which human
mummies were found, there appeared to be no
doubt, that they, like the inhabitants of Hercula-
ncum and Pompeii, in Europe, had been over
.whelmed in one common death and oblivion
whilst in the midst of their ordinary avocaions.
1t does not appear from Capt. Rays statement,
that any clue has been found to the date Of the
awful event, but the bodies were in a wonderful
state Of preservation; the hair, the nails and inte-
guments, remaining entire as in life, and the mus
cuar structure but little shrunk, though perfectly
exsiccated-the effects. possibly, Of the nitrous
properties Of the circumjacent soil. The mummy



from pieces Of money which were found near
him, it may be inferred that this ancient people
were not irreconcilably opposed to a specie cur
rency. From some evidence, which is not sta
ted, the conjecture is given that the population of
this unknown city must have amounted to 80, 900
souls.


The walls Of some of the edifces remain stand
ing, and in one Of the explored houses, Captain
Ray saw the body of a woman in sitting posture,
who, when overwhelmed in the solemn hour of
destruction, appeared to have been engaged in
weaving, for the implements of that avocation
were around her, and were in her skeleton hands.
"A small piece Of cloth, partly woven, was spread
before her upon reed frame; in one hand she
held sharp spindle or bodkn, eight or ten inches
in length, on which was wound quantity Of fine
cotton thread Of light brown color; and parcels o
cotton and worsted yarns, Of various colors, were
also lying near her. She appears to have beer
wrapped in loose cotton robe, suitable to the
warmth Of the climate. Capt Ray procured the
unfinished fabric on which she had been engaged,
together with her spindle and several specimens
of her threads. Itappears to have been work
of ingenius ornament like sampler, or table rug,
for the frame was eight inches square, and she
had completed about one half of her industrious
task, when her hands lost their cunning in the
sudden grasp Of a dreadful death. We may pos
sibly hereafter learn further particulars Of this in
teresting discovery; further excavations may de-
velope some indications of the age and name o
this buried city, and Of the character and socia
condition Of its entombed inhabitants. .-South
Ueste,7s Journal.