New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-14
literary .Nes0S and Criticism.

sti@CIs OF ECO true sportsman is brought out by
his comment. on observing migratory hunter
shoot stag in the water tnet It is "a method
commonly resorted TO IN this country, where
the chase is more matter Of necessity than
amusement"
The authors self-sacrlhcinr devotion 70 his
project is well indicated by the laborious meth
DDS IN which he was willing to travel Il only
he could accomplish the results he had set ont
TO attain Apropos Of the lack % consideration
he received after he had started on the ascsn.
OF the Arkansas River. he writes:
In the meenest sarb of a working boatnan. and
sidered one OF the csnaile. ana / neither claimed
nor expected attention; my thoughts centred upon
ingly sacrificed to promote with frugality and in
dustry the objects OF my mission.
Mr.. Nuttall was apparently possessed Of lib
eral opinions somewhat in advance Of his say
to Judge from HIS comments On the marriage CTS
toms Of the Quapaw Indians taken fr.rn his
interesting occasional observations" HG writes:
The most simple testimonies of attachment, with
our the aio OF solemn vows, thought sufficient
10 complete contugal felicity which, where all
stgated through the desire Of personal gratifca-
ton or mutual attachment. and can but seldom be
but too common where this sacred tie /, knit by
Unnatural or oIeg no1 5g any
decorum and the essential ties of society are not
being freed from that perpetual restraint, which
appears 10 have been requisite in civilized society.
tation OF one who has rendered himself odious to
has made herself obnoxious to his house and fam
lily. AS the marriage is never ostentatious. or
Induced by anything fragrant. is not matter TO
alarm the repose OF sooiety, ne tnaIe cnoreh 20
mother. Children. however begotten; are dear to
society the brink Of determination.
As the journal is not intended to embody bs
complete scientific data obtained the trip, his
e S-,N.
Joined as footnotes to the text. IN which. in al
dition TO the account OF his adventures, hs
comments at some length on the treatment OF
the Indians by settlers and the government, and
on the institution Of slavery. in regard TO both
Of which, as they came under his observation.
his opinions are decidedly unfavorable.
The four following volumes taken up with
the Account Of an Expedition from Pittsburg
70 the Rocky Mountains. Performed in the Years
1919 1920. BY Order OF Hon J. c. Calhoun,
Secretary OF War. under the command OF Maj
s. H. Long. Of the L. s. Top. Engi-
neers" This work was compiled by Edwin
James. the botanist and geologist Of the party,
from his own notes and those OF other members.
The expedition was intended TO be more impor-
tant IN it's conduct and consequences than 1t
actually was So much time was lost in or
ganization. and in getting started that the gov
eminent greatly curtalled its personnel and re-
sources. and the attempt 70 carry out the orig
insl aims of the exploration under these ham
pered conditions led 10 regrettablel II not unac-
countable. errors Of judgment and lapsss Of ac-
complishment. Nevertheless. It not with
out valuable results. The presence OF many
scientists was fruitful OF much new knowledge
Of the natural history and ethnology OF the Far
West and authoritative source OF infor-
nation in regard to the sociology Of the Kansa
and Omaha tribes. the Account" DR.. Thwaites
observes. has no rival"
One is tempted TO quote at length from these
entertaining volumes. but Il must be sufficient
to give extract deliciously illustrating the
complications and discomfortS Of polygaIny as
practised among the OmahasI
The hQsband previously to intgodHctng his new
Of his ot5e aes far his p2nos he ne snss
kindly 10 them. states the necessity OF providing
and thus succeeds in his wishes The new matri..
monial alliance Is at first productive OF disoord
displayed by the husband in favor Of his recent
aegqisition engenders much jealousy in the minds
OF the elder wives. Quarrels often succeed, which
are sometimes terminated by the natural weapons
voluble tongues, apply for more strenuous aid 10
the agency Of their teeth and nails or some
and missiles. During combats Of this nature the
hupsband remains perfectly neutral. sitting with
refuge in the house Of her VINO p2s JaKes
endeavors TO soothe their anger and to point out to
them the improperly OF their conduct A lecture
q this description 70 women elated With victory
is not always received IN the conciliatory dis
position with that which dictated the advice; but
sometimes results IN another quarrel. which Is
terminated by the administration OF a few blows on
me persons o. his refractory squaws These will
then depart from his lodge declaring their de-
termination 10 live with him longer; a resolution
which, however, fails with their anger, and thew
seek reconciliation Their friends apply to their
husband In their favor. and are informed that he
was angry when he hogged them, and that he
is now sorry for II. Thus matters are with but lit
tie difficulty adjusted; the wives return home and
are harangued by the husband, after which they
proceed tremendously together IN their domestic
employments. until some new feud arises TO disturb
the repose OF the family.