Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
| I. | Ethnologic and Archæologic. |
| II. | Mythology and Folk Lore. |
| III. | Graphic Systems and Literature. |
| IV. | Linguistic. |
The word “Essays” appears on the title of this book inthe sense in which old Montaigne employed it—attempts,endeavors. The articles which make up the volumehave been collected from many scattered sources, to which Ihave from time to time contributed them, for the definitepurpose of endeavoring to vindicate certain opinions aboutdebated subjects concerning the ancient population of theAmerican continent.
In a number of points, as for example in the antiquity ofman upon this continent, in the specific distinction of anAmerican race, in the generic similarity of its languages, inrecognizing its mythology as often abstract and symbolic, inthe phonetic character of some of its graphic methods, in believingthat its tribes possessed considerable poetic feeling,in maintaining the absolute autochthony of their culture—inthese and in many other points referred to in the followingpages I am at variance with most modern anthropologists;and these essays are to show more fully and connectedlythan could their separate publication, what are my groundsfor such opinions.
There is a prevailing tendency among ethnologists of to-dayivto underrate the psychology of savage life. This errorarises partly from an unwillingness to go beyond merelyphysical investigations, partly from judging of the ancientcondition of a tribe by that of its modern and degeneraterepresentatives, partly from inability to speak its tongue andto gain the real sense of its expressions, partly from preconceivedtheories as to what a savage might be expected toknow and feel. As against this error I have essayed to showthat among very rude tribes we find sentiments of a highcharacter, proving a mental nature of excellent capacity incertain directions.
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