Introduction | to the | Study of Indian Languages, | with words, phrases,
and sentences to be collected. | By J.W. Powell. | Washington: |
Government Printing Office. | 1877.

Pp. 1-104, 10 ruled ll., 4^o.

In his opening remarks, referring to the manuscripts derived from the
distribution of Mr. Gibbs' paper, the author says: "It has, in fact,
greatly stimulated investigation, giving wiser direction to inquiry,
and the results have abundantly proved the value of the 'Instructions'
and the wisdom of its publication; and it serves to mark an epoch in the
history of ethnographic investigation in America. The material which has
thus been accumulated is of great amount, and its study has led to such
important conclusions that it is deemed wise to prepare a new system of
instruction, more comprehensive in plan and more elaborate in detail.
First, it is found necessary to enlarge the alphabet so as to include a
greater number of sounds, which have been discovered in the North
American languages, and to mark other letters with greater precision.
Second, it is necessary to enlarge the vocabulary so as to modify it
somewhat, as experience has dictated, so that new words may be
collected. Third, it is desirable that many simple phrases and sentences
should be given--so chosen as to bring out the more important
characteristics of grammatic structure."

In the preparation of this paper, the alphabet was considered to be of
prime importance. Concerning it, the author says: "After devoting much
time to the consideration of the subject, and the examination of many
alphabets devised by scholars and linguists, none was found against
which there was not serious objections, and the author attempted to