The sources of American history not only differ vastly in merit, but many of them are almost inaccessible.

I still have by me a list of books of the first order of importance for these studies, which I have not been able to find in any public or private library in the United States.
I have been free in giving references for the statements in the text.

The growing custom among historians of omitting to do this must be deplored in the interests of sound learning.

It is better to risk the charge of pedantry than to leave at fault those who wish to test an author's accuracy or follow up the line of investigation he indicates.
On the other hand, I have exercised moderation in drawing comparisons with Aryan, Semitic, Egyptian and other Old World mythologies.

It would have been easy to have noted apparent similarities to a much greater extent.
But I have preferred to leave this for those who write upon general comparative mythology.