6 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



and complicated civilization the obscuration of natural law by 

 the artificial conditions erected on the rebellious logic of human 

 society. 



The labors of Mrs Harriet Maxwell Converse in recording the 

 legends and nature myths of the New York Iroquois are, for these 

 and other reasons, most worthy of conservation. She was de- 

 voted in her love for her adopted people; she shared their spirit 

 and could record their folk tales with perfect sympathy. 



Mr Parker, who has edited the manuscripts of Mrs Converse 

 and prepared the introductory portion of this work, has been 

 prompted not only by fidelity to the memory of a friend but by 

 the piety and inspiration of inheritance. 



John M. Clarke 

 (Ho-san-na-ga-da) 



