The Origin of Civilisation and the Primitive Condition of Man

IN my work on 'Prehistoric Times' I have devoted several chapters to thedescription of modern savages, because the weapons and implements nowused by the lower races of men throw much light on the signification anduse of those discovered in ancient tumuli, or in the drift gravels and becausea knowledge of modern savages and their modes of life enables us moreaccurately to picture, and more vividly to conceive, the manners andcustoms of our ancestors in bygone ages. In the present volume, which isfounded on a course of lectures delivered at the Royal Institution in thespringof 1868, I propose more particularly to describe the social and mentalcondition of savages, their art, their systems of marriage and of relationship,their religions, language, moral character, and laws. Subsequently I shallhope to publish those portions of my lectures which have reference to theirhouses, dress, boats, arms, implements, &c. From the very nature of thesubjects dealt with in the present volume, I shall have to record manyactions and ideas very abhorrent to us; so many in fact that if I pass themwithout comment or condemnation, it is because I am reluctant to fatiguethe reader with wearisome iteration of disapproval. In the chapters onmarriage and religion more especially, though I have endeavoured to avoideverything that was needlessly offensive, still it was impossible not tomention some facts which are very repugnant to our feelings. Yet were I toexpress my sentiments in some cases, my silence in others might be held toimply indifference, if not approval.