0 - Kee - Pa, a Religious Ceremony ; and other Customs of the
Mandan. By George Catlin. (Triibner.)-One of the reasons for republishing this strange and sickening account of superstitious barbarity is that doubts have been thrown on its correctness, and that Prince Maximilian of Neuwied has written a letter to vindicate its accuracy. The early ceremonies of the 0-Kee-Pa are indeed quaint and amusing. Mr. Catlin describes them very well, and the illustrations, though in a rude style of art, convey a good idea of the still ruder reality. The ball dance round the "Big Canoe," which is the Indian version of the Ark, and the appearance of tho Evil One, who tries to frighten the women, and is put to flight by the chief conductor of the ceremonies with his medicine pipe, are simply ludicrous. But when we come to the tortures inflicted on certain chosen young men of the tribe, and the too faithful representations both in text and illustrations, we close the book ourselves, and we advise others to follow our example.
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