Codex Nuttall

Vienna, which was brought from Mexico by the late Philip Becker of Darmstadt.¹ This manuscript, which has explanations in the ZapotecAn indigenous language and civilization from the Valley of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. language, written in Spanish characters meaning the Latin alphabet was used to phonetically write the indigenous language, consists of twenty-six pages only, whereas Senator Villari described a much more voluminous CodexA "codex" is a manuscript book; in this context, it refers to the folded screen-fold books used by Mesoamerican peoples to record history and genealogies..

At the time when the above memorable interview took place, I was on the eve of my departure from Florence. During my absence, which lasted a year, I studied the history of all known Ancient Mexican CodicesThe plural form of codex., ascertained that not one of them could possibly be identical with that which had once been the property of the San Marco Library and became more and more deeply convinced that the Codex, as described, must have been an original and one of incalculable importance, on account of explanatory notes inscribed upon its pages.

On communicating all this to Senator Villari when I returned to Florence, I expressed my eagerness to ascertain if the Codex still existed, and, if so, to rescue it from the oblivion to which it had been consigned for over thirty years.

The more we discussed the mode of instituting such a search, the more we realized its difficulties, owing to the existence of certain obvious complications.

In addition to the information already given, Senator Villari was able to furnish me with an all-important clue. In possession of this I soon began a search which, in course of time, proved successful, owing to the fact that my written applications for information were responded to with utmost courtesy and good-will.

I learned that, about thirty years ago, the Codex was presented as a gift to the Honorable Robert Curzon, 14th Baron Zouche, the well-known author of "Ancient Monasteries of the East," who had brought together in his library at Parham, County of Sussex, a most interesting and valuable collection of rare manuscripts "to illustrate the history of the art of writing." The catalogue of this collection, limited to an edition of fifty copies, and published in London

¹ A copy of this manuscript was published in facsimile in Geneva in 1892, by Monsieur Henri de Saussure, under the name of "The Manuscript of the Chief" original: "Le manuscrit du Cacique." A "Cacique" is a title for a local indigenous leader or nobleman.. Dr. Seler of Berlin has drawn attention to the interesting fact that this manuscript is the missing portion of the Codex Colombino, which was published, in 1892, by the Columbian Commission of Mexico original: "Junta Colombina de Mexico".