The comparative study of the dress, weapons, tools, houses, ships of savage and civilized races gives an outline view of the progress of society.

How fragile and rude the handiwork of savages! How quickly are the wants provided for! A few fig leaves make a full summer suit for the African and the skin of an ox his garb for winter.

But civilized man must toil long upon his loom for garments of wool and fine silk.

Slowly the hollow log journeys toward the ocean steamer; slowly the forked stick gives place to the steam-plow, the slow ox to the swift engine; slowly the sea-shell, with three strings tied across its mouth, develops into the many-mouthed pipe-organ.

But if rude and low conveniences represent little time and toil, these later inventions represent centuries of arduous labor.