The uncivilized races of men in all countries of the world; vol. 1 of 2: Being a comprehensive account of their manners and customs, and of their physical, social, mental, moral and religious characteristicsWood, J. G. (John George)
History
The uncivilized races of men in all countries of the world; vol. 1 of 2: Being a comprehensive account of their manners and customs, and of their physical, social, mental, moral and religious characteristics
Wood, J. G. (John George)
Anthropology; Ethnology; Manners and customs
In one other and very essential respect is this superior to the English
edition. Dr. Wood has given too brief and imperfect an account of
the character, customs and life of the North American Indians, and
the savage tribes of the Arctic regions. As the work was issued in
monthly parts of a stipulated number, he may have found his space
limited, and accordingly omitted a chapter respecting the Indians,
that he had promised upon a preceding page. This deficiency has been
supplied by the American editor, making the account of the Red Men more
comprehensive, and adding some fine engravings to illustrate their
appearance and social life. Having treated of the Ahts of Vancouver’s
Island, the author crosses Behring Strait and altogether omits the
interesting races of Siberia, passing at once from America to Southern
Asia. To supply this chasm and make the work a complete “Tour round
the World,” a thorough survey of the races “in all countries” which
represent savage life, we have added an account of the Malemutes,
Ingeletes and Co-Yukons of Alaska. An interesting chapter respecting
the Tungusi, Jakuts, Ostiaks, and Samoiedes of Siberia, compiled from
Dr. Hartwig’s “Polar World,” is also given. The usefulness and value of
such a work as this are greatly enhanced by a minute and comprehensive
index. In this respect, the English edition is very deficient,--its
index occupying only a page. We have appended to the work one more than
ten times as large, furnishing to the reader and student an invaluable
help. Thus enlarged by letter-press and illustrations, this work is a
complete and invaluable _resumé_ of the manners, customs, and life of
the UNCIVILIZED RACES OF THE WORLD.
EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE.
The Frontispiece gives a pictorial representation of African
mankind. Superstition reigning supreme, the most prominent figure is
the fetish priest, with his idols at his feet, and holding up for
adoration the sacred serpent. War is illustrated by the Kaffir chief
in the foreground, the Bosjesman with his bow and poisoned arrows,
and the Abyssinian chief behind him. The gluttony of the Negro race
is exemplified by the sensual faces of the squatting men with their
jars of porridge and fruit. The grace and beauty of the young female
is shown by the Nubian girl and Shooa woman behind the Kaffir; while
the hideousness of the old women is exemplified by the Negro woman
above with her fetish. Slavery is illustrated by the slave caravan in
the middle distance, and the pyramids speak of the interest attached
to Africa by hundreds of centuries.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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