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Synopsis The present multivolume set (in 3 Volumes) which has been profusely illustrated contains more than 1800 illustrations is a monumental work on the manners and customs of mankind, their origins and their observance throughout the world today. Precisely speaking this multivolume set deals with wide range of topics on the above subjects, has been authored splendidly by J.A. Hammerton who needs no introduction. These volumes give a broad survey of fascinating topics like the surviving customs of springtide, popular customs of Eastertide, midsummer beliefs and practices; racial manners and etiquette discusses the table manners – primitive and polished, the tattooing and its significance; the life of the sexes speaks of the sexual life of the savages, the veil and its significance, initiation and other ceremonies of puberty, the separation of the sexes; courtship and marriage throws light on the weddings without the bridge, the various forms of marriage, widowhood among the civilized and savage; the dance tells about the animal dances of the East, the devil and other spirit dances, the golden ballet of the east; medicine, magic and toboo gives a succinct description of driving out devils of disease, magic in love and war, modern survivals of witchcraft; death and burial customs gives a wide range of information on the ceremonial use of effigies, graves and their decoration, Red Indian burial customs, exposing the dead; Christian religious customs depicts strange sacrificial rites, the pilgrimage in Christendom, monasticism in the Christian church; customs of other religion discusses hermits, fakirs and ascetics of today, ancestor worship and the cult of the dead, pilgrimage of the east, the worship of the Serpent, the rites of circumcision; popular beliefs and superstitions throws light on the mascot or luck bringer, beliefs and superstitions of the sea, tree and stone beliefs and customs, outwitting the forces of evil; curiosities of custom vividly describes man’s use of animals, modern slavery and serfdom, military and naval customs at the seat of justice, punishment among savage and the civilized, dwellers in caves and cliffs, etc. In the general index detailed reference to the chapters and illustrations is given. Illustrations are indicated by the use of italic type for the page references. A separate index classified under the main groups of customs described in the various chapters of this work is given under the classified index. This profusely illustrated multivolume set will be of great value of the readers all over the world.