PREFACE 



DURING recent years there has been a very 

 happy tendency to change the nature of 

 geographical teaching from a monotonous memoris 

 ing of the names of natural features to a subject of 

 living interest. 



In the endeavour to effect this change there has 

 been a serious omission in our failure to appeal to 

 natural interests of children by making the human 

 element a central feature of geographical work. 



A study of the picturesque lives of native races of 

 the British Empire is an absolute essential if the 

 teacher wishes to impart the appropriate colour and 

 setting to a subsequent course of economic, regional, 

 and political geography. 



The sharp contrast between European beliefs and 

 customs and those of primitive people is in itself an 

 incentive to study and interest. In addition to this, 

 a sympathetic understanding of the many native 

 races who are controlled by English statesmanship 

 is necessary for the material and moral progress of 

 dominions in the British Empire. 



W. D. HAMBLY. 



