A Description of Various Nations

A tiny reference guide to the various ethnicities of the world.

This fascinating little reference guide was published in Concord, New Hampshire by Rufus Merrill & Co. in 1843. It was issued as one of twelve ‘Two Cent Toys’ intended to instruct and educate children an Its sixteen pages provide a rudimentary overview of twelve prominent nationalities located across the globe.

An interesting variety of different people are presented with accompanying woodblock images and descriptive text that provides insight into contemporary opinions. Representative excerpts are listed below.

“The Indians gradually disappeared, and now there are very few, except those who live in the western country, where they are yet numerous.” [pg. 4]

“They [the French] have many learned men among them and a great variety of good books; but the poorer people are left too much without instruction.” [pg. 6]

“The Turks are ignorant and cruel. The men are allowed to have four wives apiece.” [pg. 10]

“As people of other countries are not allowed to travel in China, we know but little about the country.” [pg. 11]

“The Persians live in Asia, a country between the Persian gulf and the Caspian sea.” [pg 12]

“They [Hottentots] besmear their bodies with fat, mixed with soot, which is their dress.” [pg. 16]