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Show EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION America, which will be the more serviceable because of the writer's conservative results. The chapters on the distribution of the Indians give a description of the different geographic groups, combined almost for the first time into a brief statement, a view of the Indians as a race, and a statement of their similarities and their divergencies, ranging from the wretched Digger Indian to the intelligent and prosperous Pueblo Indians, and thence to the Aztec civilization. To most readers these chapters will be a revelation both of the common characteristics and of the great variety of customs among the native peoples. Chapters xiii. to xvii. take up the same subject with a different object- namely, the portrayal of % he Indian character, life, business, and religion. Many conventional beliefs disappear in the light of this scientific investigation; for instance, that the Indian is naturally taciturn and solemn; that there were cannibal tribes; that the Indian believed in a single Great Spirit. The description of the Iroquois, the people who most affected the history of Canada, New England, and the middle communities, will be found especially clear and interesting. For the portrait frontispiece has been selected Chief Joseph, of the Nez Perc6 tribe, an exceptionally able and characteristic Indian statesman. . The critical essay on authorities is practically a select bibliography out of the immense literature of monographs and special treatises upon the general |
