Chapter 6

"The Book of Rites is edited by the eminent philologist, Mr. Horatio Hale, who has done so much to elucidate the whole subject of Indian ethnography and migrations, with the argument derived from language in connection with established tradition; and especially to disentangle Iroquois history from its complications with the legends of their mythology."--_Auburn Daily Advertiser_, July 21, 1883.

"The book is one of great ethnological value, in the light it casts on the political and social life, as well as the character and capacity, of the people with whom it originated."--_Popular Science Monthly_, November 1883.

"It is a philosophical and masterly treatise on the Iroquois league and the cognate tribes, their relations, language, mental characteristics and polity, such as we have never had of any nation of this Continent...."--_Dr. J. Gilmary Shea_.

"It is full of instructive hints, particularly as bearing on the state of so-called savages before they are brought in contact with so-called civilized men. Such evidence is, from the nature of the case, very difficult to obtain, and therefore all the more valuable...."--_Prof. F. Max Mueller_.

"It gives us a much clearer insight into the formation and workings of the Iroquois league than we before possessed."--_Hon. George S. Conover_.

"It contains more that is authentic and new, of the Iroquois nations, than any other single work with which I am acquainted."--_Rev. Charles Hawley, D.D._

* * * * *

No. III. THE COMEDY-BALLET OF GÜEGÜENCE.

Edited by DANIEL G. BRINTON, M.D.

1 vol., 8vo. Paper, $2.00; Cloth, $2.50.

A curious and unique specimen of the native comic dances, with dialogues, called _bailes_, formerly common in Central America. It is in the mixed Nahuatl-Spanish jargon of Nicaragua, and shows distinctive features of native authorship. The Introduction treats of the ethnology of Nicaragua, and the local dialects, musical instruments, and dramatic representations of that section of our continent. A map and a number of illustrations are added.

Other important works, in various native languages, are in the course of preparation, under competent editorship.

Of these may be mentioned--

THE NATIONAL LEGEND OF THE CREEKS. Edited by A.S. GATSCHET.

The original account, written in 1735; an English translation, and a re-translation into the Creek language, in which it was originally delivered, by an educated native, and into the Hitchiti, a dialect cognate to the Creek.

THE ANNALS OF THE KAKCHIQUELS. By ERNANTEZ XAHILA.

These chronicles are the celebrated _Memorial de Tecpan Atitlan_ so often quoted by the late Abbe Brasseur de Bourbourg. They are invaluable for the ancient history and mythology of Gautemalan nations, and are of undoubted authenticity and antiquity.

THE ANNALS OF QUAUHTITLAN. Edited by A.F. BANDELIER.

The original Aztec text, with a new translation. This is also known as the _Codex Chimalpopoca_. It is one of the most curious and valuable documents in Mexican archaeology.

ABORIGINAL AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY. Edited by DANIEL G. BRINTON, M.D.

A collection of the songs, chants and metrical compositions of the Indians, designed to display the emotional and imaginative powers of the race and the prosody of their languages.

* * * * *

_The following two works are not portions of the series, but are related to it by their contents. They may be obtained from the same publishers_.

AMERICAN HERO-MYTHS.

A STUDY in the NATIVE RELIGIONS of the WESTERN CONTINENT.

By DANIEL G. BRINTON, A.M., M.D., etc.

1 vol., 8vo, pp. 251. (Philad'a, 1882.) Cloth, Price, $1.75.

NOTICES OF THE PRESS.

"Dr. Brinton writes from a minute and extended knowledge of the original sources. ... His work renders a signal service to the cause of comparative mythology in our country."--_The Literary World_ (Boston).

"This study of certain of the most remarkable stories of American mythology is exceedingly interesting."--_The Saturday Review_ (London).

"In his 'American Hero-Myths' Dr. Brinton gives us the clue to the religious thought of the aboriginal Races. ... It is a learned and careful book, clearly written, popular in style though scientific in method, and must be a good deal fresher than a novel to most readers."--_The American_ (Philadelphia).

"This volume is the first attempt at what is entitled to be regarded as a critically accurate presentation of the fundamental conceptions found in the native beliefs of the tribes of America."--_The New England Bibliopolist_.

"This is a thoughtful and original contribution to the science of comparative religion."--_The Boston Journal_.

"We regard the 'Hero Myths' as a valuable contribution to the history of religion and to comparative mythology."--_The Teacher_ (Philadelphia).

"...These few extracts give no idea of the mass of legends in this volume, and the queer, out-of-the-way information it supplies concerning the ideas and usages of races now extinct or hastening to extinction."--_The Dublin Evening Mail_.

"Dr. Brinton, in his 'American Hero-Myths,' has applied the comparative method soberly, and backed it by solid research in the original authors."--_The Critic_ (New York).

ABORIGINAL AMERICAN AUTHORS, AND THEIR PRODUCTIONS.

Especially those in the Native Languages. A Contribution to the History of Literature.

By DANIEL G. BRINTON, A.M., M.D., etc.

1 vol., 8vo, pp. 63. Boards. Price, $1.00.

An essay founded on an address presented to the Congress of Americanists, at Copenhagen, in 1883. It is an extended review of the literary efforts of the red race, in their own tongues, and in English, Latin and Spanish (both manuscript and printed). An entirely novel field of inquiry is opened to view, of equal interest to ethnologists, linguists and historians.

End of Project Gutenberg's Aboriginal American Authors, by Daniel G. Brinton