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general points in their history, and each tribe and sub-tribe was prone to regard itself as independent of all others, if not the leading or parent tribe. Their languages exhibited diversities of sound, where there was none whatever in its syntax. Changes of accent and interchanges of consonants had almost entirely altered the aspect of words, and obscured their etymology. * The identity of the stock is, however, to be readily traced amid these discrepances. They are assimilated by peculiar traits of a common physical resemblance; by general coincidence of manners, customs and opinions; by the rude rites of a worship of spirits, every where the same; by a few points of general tradition; and by the peculiar and strongly marked features of a transpositive language, identified by its grammar, alike in its primitive words, and absolutely fixed in the number and mode of modification of its radical sounds." (p. 18.)

It is, then, of a family of human beings inhabiting such regions, having such distinctive marks, and such points of likeness, that these "Researches" treat. And the object of those researches is, as we are told by the author, "to publish the results of his observation on the mythology, distinctive opinions, and intellectual character of the aborigines. Materials exist for separate observations on their oral tales, fictitious and historical; their hieroglyphics, music and poetry; and the grammatical structure of the languages, their principles of combination, and the actual state of their vocabulary. The former topic has been selected as the commencement of the series." (p. 9.) The researches thus undertaken by Mr. Schoolcraft are of a most interesting character. They relate to the most important object of science to which study and attention can be directed;-the science of the human mind. If well and thoroughly executed, they promise to open to us a new chapter in this important field of inquiry; and a chapter of deep interest, inasmuch as it presents the subject to us under a totally different aspect, under totally different influences and circumstances to what we are accustomed to contemplate it. The circumstances connected with the publication of these Indian tales as the first series of the Researches, may best be stated in the editor's own words. "Language," says he, "constituted the initial point of inquiry, but it did not limit it. It was found necessary to examine the mythology of the tribes as a means of acquiring an insight into their mode of thinking and reasoning, the sources of their fears and hopes, and the probable origin of their opinions and institutions. This branch of inquiry connected itself in a manner which could not have been anticipated, with their mode of conveying instruction, moral, mechanical, and religious, to the young, through the intervention of traditionary fictitious tales and legends; and naturally, as the next effect of a barbarous people, to hieroglyphic signs to convey ideas and sounds. Nothing in the whole inquiry has afforded so ample a clew to their opinions and thoughts in all the great departments of life and nature, as their oral imaginative tales; and it has, therefore, been deemed proper to introduce copious specimens of these collections from a large number of the tribes." (p. 12.) The fact of such traditionary tales existing among the Indian tribes has only recently been known or suspected. Mr. Schoolcraft himself was the first to discover it about the year 1822, when first resident among them in his official capacity. He first observed the fact among the Ojibwa nation, inhabiting the

region about Lake Superior; and subsequent inquiry discovered the same fact among all the northwestern tribes whose traditions were investigated; and indeed in every case to which inquiry has been directed. In this respect, then, the classical reader and the student of the no less valuable and interesting remains and records of our Scandinavian ancestors will observe that the rude Indian tribes resemble all the other most celebrated families of mankind which, at later periods, rose to the highest point of civilization. It is true the efforts of the Indians were far less perfect and far less valuable, if we may judge from the specimens given, as being more puerile and less connected with actual historic fact than the lays of the Grecian bards, or the wild but deeply stirring strains of the scalds of Scandinavia. Still the same characteristic of teaching by oral tradition is present, -used by all as the most powerful and effectual means of instilling into the mind of youth what was held as most worthy of being taught and remembered.

We must now make a few remarks on the actual character of the specimens of Indian oral tradition here presented to us. These tales must not be read for amusement; they must be read for what they will teach us of the Indian mind and character, and habits of action and thought. In the latter respect they will teach us much; in the former they will be justly held by most as "flat, stale, unprofitable." There is little of poetry in any of them; they are mostly coarse, rude, abrupt. They have little value as moral pieces; little interest as works of imagination. Were they merely fictions of human action, they might be useful to any man of any state or faith, as being good and true examples of action under certain circumstances which must occur alike to man under civilized and barbarous life. There is, however, hardly a single instance in which supernatural agency of the most extravagant kind is not introduced, by which, and which alone, the end is gained. To the Indians, who believe in such agency, these may afford useful examples, sustaining exertion and effort, but to Christians they thus lose all power or use as examples. If we find a man in any strait, instead of human exertion used to overcome it, we find him changed into bird, beast, or fish, as the case may be, or possessing magic pipes, or bags, or arrows. Most of these supernatural agencies are introduced in a manner at once coarse and vulgar, often intensely disgusting. The legends of Manabozho exhibit the grossest absurdity and contrariety of powers and means, and with no reference whatever, in most cases, to any moral justice.

We trust these remarks will not be misunderstood. We have spoken of these tales as tales, and as repositories of information; in the former view, in which many may take them up, they are pretty nearly worthless; in the latter they are extremely interesting and valuable, and it is in the latter view that they have been published. We had marked for quotation many passages from Mr. Schoolcraft's observations on the mythology, &c., of the Indians, as learned from these tales. Space prevents, however, our quoting them, and we must be content with referring the reader, really desirous of useful and interesting information, in whatever garb conveyed, to the volumes themselves, expressing our sincere hope that the editor may be induced speedily to complete the other parts of the "Researches" thus commenced.

3. (1) A German-English and English-German Pocket Dictionary; denoting the meaning of all the words in general use, and likewise of the principal idiomatic phrases, &c. BY DAVID FOSDICK, JR. Two Parts. 16mo. pp. 369, 234. Boston. Perkins & Marvin. 1840. (2) Kritisch-erklärendes Handwörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, u. s. w. von F. A. WEBER. (Critical and Explanatory Dictionary of the German Language, including the Foreign Words which are used in ordinary intercourse, &c. By F. A. WEBER.) Stereotype Edition. 8vo. pp. 698. Liepsic. Tauchnitz. 1838.

(3) Algemeines verdeutschendes und erklärendes Fremdwörterbuch, u. s. w. von Dr. J. C. A. HEYSE. (A Universal Dictionary of the Foreign Words which occur in the German language, &c. By Dr. J. A. HEYSE.) Eighth Edition in two Parts. 8vo. pp. 570, 570. Hanover. 1838.

Though the German language is far from being such a heterogeneous compound as the English, and, in its native resources, bears a much more striking analogy to the Greek than to any other language commonly known among us, the literary character and the philological taste of the majority of German writers have introduced (unnecessarily to be sure) a surprising number of foreign words into the language. It is one question whether these words ought to be displaced by corresponding German terms, and quite another whether a dictionary for the language as it is should include them. In number ('), foreign words have no place. "It has been my intent," says the author, "to give it (the Dictionary) ample completeness for general use, and at the same time to avoid overloading it with words of doubtful standing or of very narrow technical import, especially with such of the latter description as are of foreign origin and perhaps common to several modern languages." And how could one do otherwise in a pocket dictionary?

It is the object of number (2) to present to the general reader in logical order, and with simplicity and yet completeness, all the results of larger works both the earlier and the more recent. Thus the book is brought within a reasonable compass, and can be obtained at a moderate expense. Foreign words that may be regarded as naturalized, are properly comprehended in the author's plan.

Number (3) gives the whole body of words which the wide range of German scholarship and German intercourse with foreign nations have introduced from other languages. Here we find the spoils of all ages and of every tongue, the language of the university professor, of the artist, of the learned professions, of the sciences, of the Wiemar coterie and of the Leipsic Fair. Dr. Heyse was aided by the labors of many eminent men. The third edition contained an addition of nearly 3000 words, the fourth 5000, the first half of the fifth 2800, the first half of the sixth (by Dr. K. Heyse after the death of his father) about 1500, the seventh more than 6000. These statements will give the reader some general idea of the compass of the work.

Instead of arguing the claims of any one of these methods, we express it as our opinion that they are all good in their place. There must be pocket dictionaries, and a pocket dictionary must not be a quarto. There must be lexicons of larger and yet limited extent that

shall answer all the purposes of the general reader. If to the ordinary German lexicons can be added such a work as number (3), nearly all the purposes of an expensive thesaurus may be answered at a moderate

cost.

We now pass from the plan of these books, to notice their execution. In regard to the first named work, we must here make a few general remarks. It is a great undertaking to make even a pocket dictionary of a foreign living language. Few persons have such an acquaintance with the various powers and the genius of a foreign language as to be able to form any independent judgment in regard to all the uses of a word. Hence the deficiencies of most of the dictionaries made from one modern language into another. Again, so limited is the use of such lexicons, that no strong inducement is held out for great enterprise and perseverance in combined and protracted efforts. The best dictionaries of a living language are invariably made in that language, and for the benefit of those who speak it. What FrenchEnglish dictionary can compare with the dictionary of the Academy? Mr. Fosdick has succeeded quite as well as could be reasonably expected. He has used great economy in regard to the best way of occupying the little space which his plan allowed him and of crowding it with the most important matter. He has made as good a selection of words, perhaps, as a foreigner in his circumstances could well do. The etymology and grammatical principles of the language are, with some few exceptions, clearly exhibited. We could have wished a little more system in the order of his definitions. We often find a want of completeness in them (which must always be the case more or less with pocket dictionaries), and in several instances of accuracy in giving the true meaning which usage has affixed to words. But even where he has erred, it is chiefly owing to an excessive regard to etymology, a circumstance not the most unfavorable in the elementary study of the language. To sum up in a few words what we have to say, we regard it as a valuable dictionary for beginners, and as an improvement upon its predecessors of the same class.

The other two works are written in German, a circumstance which will make them repulsive to many, but which to the true German scholar will be their strongest attraction. According to our experience, a comprehensive and critical lexicon in the German language is indispensable to a mastery of that language. Another in our own language, will, of course, be needed as a matter of convenience. The work of Weber, having a very broad page with three columns on each, is quite extensive. It omits all quotations, and gives brief and precise definitions philosophically arranged. But while the vocabulary is very complete, the explanations are sometimes deficient in fulness. It is on this last account inferior to the compendious Dictionary of the German language drawn from Adelung, Campe, Eberhard, Heinsius and others, published in Reutlingen, 1835, in two volumes, 8vo.

Of Heyse's Dictionary of Foreign Words, &c., we must speak in terms of the highest commendation. It was for words, what the Conversations-Lexicon is for things. No German scholar who has once used it would part with it for any consideration.

4. Patrum Apostolicorum Opera. Textum ex editionibus præstantissimis repititum recognovit, brevi adnotatione instruxit et in usum prælectionum academicarum edidit CAROLUS JOSEPHUS HEFELE, theologiæ doctor ejusdemque in Acad. Tubing. Prof. Extr. pp. 260. 8vo. Tubinge. 1839.

This little volume, as is intimated in the title-page, is designed as a text-book for theological students. It contains all the works of the apostolical fathers which have any claim to being regarded as genuine, viz., the epistle of Barnabas, the two epistles of Clement of Rome (the latter of which, of only eight pages, is acknowledged by all to be spurious), the seven epistles of Ignatius, the epistle of Polycarp, the anonymous epistle to Diognitus, and the Shepherd of Hermas. In the introduction, the question of their genuineness is discussed, at the bottom of each page are brief notes critical and explanatory, and at the end of the volume a very good index. Such an edition is not less adapted to ministers in general than to students. On account of its low price it is within the reach of all; and for ordinary reference it is more convenient than the larger edition of Cotelerius, while at the same time it presents a better text.

ARTICLE XI.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

America.-German Literature, translated from the German of Wolfgang Menzel, by C. C. Felton, in three volumes, a valuable work, deserving especially the attention of the German scholar, has just appeared from the press of Hilliard, Gray & Co., and forms the 7th, 8th and 9th volumes of Specimens of Foreign Literature.-Keightley's History of Greece and Rome, edited by J. T. Smith, and published the last year, are followed by two volumes in the same style, on England.-Mr. C. Wheler, instructer in Harvard University, has prepared a new edition of the Prose Selections of Dalzell's Græca Majora for the use of schools and colleges, with English notes.-The following works are in press and will soon be published: Life and Writings of Samuel Adams, by his grandson, Samuel Adams Wells, in five volumes.-Life and Correspondence of Mrs. Adams, wife of President John Adams, by her grandson, Charles Francis Adams.-The History of Harvard University, in two volumes, by President Quincy.-Cranmer and his times, by the author of Luther and his times.-Paul Jones, by Lieut. A. Slidell Makenzie.

England.-New Books. Life of T. M'Crie, D. D., by his Son.-Life of Thomas Burgess, Bishop of Salisbury, by J. S. Harford.—Ranke's History of the Popes of Rome, translated by S. Austin, 3 vols. (a work of high merit.) -Whewell's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences, 2 vols.

Germany.-A new volume of Gieseler's Church History has made its appearance. We are pleased to see that selections from the great work edited by Pertz, Monumenta Germaniae Historica, are made and prepared for the use of schools. The first volume contains Einhard's Life of Charlemagne (Einhardi Vita Caroli Magni, 8vo. Hannover, 1840); then follow Liudprandi Opera (Luitprand's Works), Nithardus, Richerus, Widukindus, &c.-The

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