NAVAHO BLANKET OF SYMBOLIC DESIGN, MADE IN NEW MEXICO (In the Private Collection of George Wharton James.) TO SOME STRANGE PLACES AND PEOPLES IN OUR SOUTHWESTERN LAND (NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA) FOR HOME AND SCHOOL BY GEORGE WHARTON JAMES A. FLANAGAN COMPANY CHICAGO PUBLISHER'S INTRODUCTION These pages record the imaginary trip into this most fascinating portion of our wonderful country by a party of high school boys and girls, from Chicago, supposedly selected for the honor because of their scholastic faithfulness and attainments. While no such party ever made the trip exactly as described, all the scenes, all the events, all the chief incidents have occurred, at one time or another, in the author's experience. The publishers wish to claim all the responsibility for the changes that were necessary in the narrative as written by the author in order to make it conform to the above thought, as they felt that the suggestions of actual participation in the trip by the imaginary party of school boys and girls would give it a charm and interest that otherwise could not be obtained. Hence, if this change seems to bring the author's ego into undue prominence the publishers desire to take this responsibility upon themselves and thus relieve Dr. James of any such charge. He wishes us also to state that he objected to this method of presenting the narrative, as it would make him responsible for certain anachronisms, which the "aware" will realize, as some of the ceremonials could not possibly occur in the order of time in which the following story places them. Deeming this a slight matter as compared with the advantages of presenting the narrative in this form we urged him to withdraw his objection, which he graciously did. It should also be stated that some of the matters herein treated have been more fully discussed in the author's larger works. Hence repetition has been in a measure unavoidable. To those who wish to study these interesting subjects more fully we have pleasure in referring to the author's list of books to be found on the last page herein. We feel sure that the results will fully justify our action and that the story as presented will give great delight to a large number of readers, even outside the school circle, throughout the United States. Chicago, Ill., March 1, 1911. THE PUBLISHERS. 292306 |