PREFACE. vii 
In the sober work to which this Preface introduces the 
reader, first impressions have been confirmed or corrected 
by subsequent experience, and flights of the imagination 
curbed by the truth-telling camera ; from the published 
maps the most correct portion has been selected, and the 
statistics are from the Government reports. Many hun¬ 
dred photographic plates made by the writer during a 
period of three years have contributed to the illustrations 
of this book, so that accuracy has been secured. Where 
the plates are not direct reproductions from the negatives, 
the ink drawings have been made from photographic 
prints with care. There are no fancy sketches. 
W. T. B. 
Boston, June 16, 1887. 
From an Ancient Manuscript. 
