Aboriginal American Authors Part 7

"Dr. Brinton's work upon the history of the Mayas or Aborigines of Yucatan [the "Maya Chronicles"] is a most important contribution to the literature of American antiquities. ... Comparative linguists, as well as archaeologists, will find a new and very interesting subject of study in these remains."--_The Sat.u.r.day Review_ (London).

"The efforts of Dr. Brinton will be welcomed by all antiquarian students, for they are not only original contributions, but are also presented in a readable and interesting manner."--_The American Antiquarian_.

No. II. The IROQUOIS BOOK OF RITES.

Edited by HORATIO HALE, Esq.

The "BOOK OF RITES" is a native composition, which was preserved orally for centuries, and was written down about a century ago. It gives the speeches, songs and ceremonies which were rehea.r.s.ed when a chief died and his successor was appointed. The fundamental laws of the League, a list of their ancient towns, and the names of the chiefs who composed their first council, are also comprised in the work. It may be said to carry the authentic history of Northern America back to a period fifty years earlier than the era of Columbus. The introductory essay treats of the ethnology and history of the Huron-Iroquois League and its founders, the origin of the Book of Rites, the composition of the Federal Council, the clan system, the laws of the League, and the Iroquois character, public policy, and language.

NOTICES OF THE PRESS AND OF EMINENT WRITERS.

"This work may be said to open a field of Indian research new to ethnologists. ... These precious relics of antiquity are concise in their wording, and full of meaning. ... The additions made by Mr. Hall are almost as valuable as the texts themselves." --_The Nation_ New York, September 13, 1883.

"The reputation of the author, added to this fascinating t.i.tle, will insure its favorable reception, not only by ethnologists, but also, the reading public. ... A remarkable discovery, and indisputably of great ethnological value. ... A book which is as suggestive as this must bear good fruit."--_Science_, August 31,1883.

"The work contains much new material of permanent interest and value to the historical scholar and the scientist. ... "--_The Magazine of American History_, September, 1883.

"In this Book of Rites we have poetry, law, history, tradition and genealogy, interesting and valuable for many reasons...."--_Good Literature_, August 18, 1883.

"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 GUeEGUeENCE.

Edited by DANIEL G. BRINTON, M.D.

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 authors.h.i.+p. 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 ill.u.s.trations are added.

Other important works, in various native languages, are in the course of preparation, under competent editors.h.i.+p.

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 At.i.tlan_ so often quoted by the late Abbe Bra.s.seur de Bourbourg. They are invaluable for the ancient history and mythology of Gautemalan nations, and are of undoubted authenticity and antiquity.

THE ANNALS OF QUAUHt.i.tLAN. 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 doc.u.ments 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.

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 Sat.u.r.day 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 ent.i.tled 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 ma.s.s 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).