The San Francisco call., 1904-06-19

THE Indians in Historic Times"
as the title OF this volume suggests,
begins with the story OF the red men
at the time of the Snaniard's first
coming TO the West Indies. In geo.
graphical scope 1t treats of the tribes
occupying North and Central America
and the Antilles. IL is a sufficient
guarantee Of the unquestionable au-
thoritatiye value Of the volume to lind
on the title page the names of Dr. Cyrus
Thomas and Professor w. ]. McGee.
There are particular features Of interest
which render this work of unique
value-among others, the inclusion
OF the account OF the Mexican and
Central American Indians and that of
the Indians Of Canada The study Of
the Indians with reference to their
past. their systems OF government,
their tribal chara cteristics and their
arts and industries, has not until with
in a recent time received the attention
which the Importance Of the subject
demands. The presence of the red man
has been regarded rather in the light
OF a very irksome incumbrance than
as motive for general historical in
terest. Yet. altogether apart from the
scientific side. the story of the Ameri-
can aborigines has an important bear
ing on almost every phase Of American
history. If one would rightly appre-
ciate and understand the course OF
American history, one must know
something more than the mere rela-
tions of the red men and the whites
when in actual contact, either peaceful
or hafr f,ft he
tory Of North America is by no means
confined TO such immediate relations.
The author in the present volume has
had this in view in dealing with the
subject. With the coming OF the white
man began the struggle for mastery
hence the narrative is necessarily a
relation OF this struggle; but il is
much more than this-it is a history
of the Indians, their tribal organiza-
tions, their habits and customs. their
intertribal policies and enmities, their
relative stages of culture and their mi
grafton, the effects Of all which are
found in the America of to-day, and
all which have been considered in the
present volume in such proportions as
to afford a general exposition of critical
and precise value.
An ample narrative is given Of the
conflicts of the pioneer Spaniards who
invaded the domain OF the Indians in
Mexico, Florida and the South; of the
French and English in their respect
i've spheres of influence; of the end
less intrigues between the Europeans
and the Indians in the course Of the
long and bitter struggles for political
and commercial advantage on the part
of the rival European colonists and
settlers and Of the red mans long
protracted contest with the settlers
and eolonists. Indian diplomacy and
savagery in all their degrees OF bar
barity are told in this volume, and the
various agreements ana concessions
that have gradually shorn the Indian
OF his empire and placed him in a po-
siIion OF guardianship. A valuable fea-
ture Is that which treats of the Indian
ethnologicaily, and of his influence on
civilization, as well as that which sets
forth the policy OF the United States
Government toward the indigenous
population.
The author has furnished tables of
linguistic families, which, with the
maps prepared to be used with them,
will prove Of great service to the read
er. In addition are a list OF Indian
reservations and a chronological table,
both Of which will be valuable to stu
dents and general readers alike.
George Barrie & Sons, Philadelphia
illustrated; price, Ss per volume; price
TO be advanced to 81 80 after first edi-