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every tribe, as they esteem it a proof of fortitude,

and think the reverse would entitle them to the

appellation of old women.

If you tell an Indian that his children have greatly signalized themselves against an enemy, have taken many scalps, and brought home many prisoners, he does not appear to feel any strong emotions of pleasure on the occasion; his answer generally is-they have "done well," and makes but very little inquiry about the matter; on the contrary, if you inform him that his children are slain or taken prisoners, he makes no complaints: he only replies, "it is unfortunate;"-and for some time asks no questions about how it happened.-LEWIS and CLARKE's Travels.

Stanza 23. 1. 2.

His calumet of peace, &c.

Nor is the calumet of less importance or less re

vered than the wampum in many transactions relative both to peace and war. The bowl of this pipe is made of a kind of soft red stone, which is easily wrought and hollowed out; the stem is of cane, elder, or some kind of light wood, painted with different colours, and decorated with the heads, tails, and feathers of the most beautiful birds. The use of the calumet is to smoke either tobacco or some bark, leaf, or herb, which they often use instead of it, when they enter into an alliance or any serious occasion or solemn engagements; this being among them the most sacred oath that can be taken, the violation of

which is esteemed most infamous, and deserving of severe punishment from Heaven. When they treat of war, the whole pipe and all its ornaments are red: sometimes it is red only on one side, and by the disposition of the feathers, &c. one acquainted with their customs will know at first sight what the nation who presents it intends or desires. Smoking the calumet is also a religious ceremony on some occasions, and in all treaties is considered as a witness between the parties, or rather as an instrument by which they invoke the sun and moon to witness their sincerity, and to be as it were a guarantee of the treaty between them. This custom of the Indians, though to appearance somewhat ridiculous, is not without its reasons, for as they find that smoking tends to dis

perse

the vapours of the brain, to raise the spirits,

and to qualify them for thinking and judging pro

perly, introduced it into their councils, where, after their resolves, the pipe was considered as a seal of their decrees, and as a pledge of their performance thereof it was sent to those they were consulting, in -alliance or treaty with; so that smoking among

them at the same pipe, is equivalent to our drinking together and out of the same cup.-Major ROGERS'S Account of North America, 1766.

The lighted calumet is also used among them for a purpose still more interesting than the expression of social friendship. The austere manners of the Indians forbid any appearance of gallantry between the sexes in day-time; but at night the young lover

goes a calumetting, as his courtship is called. As these people live in a state of equality, and without fear of internal violence or theft in their own tribes, they leave their doors open by night as well as by day. The lover takes advantage of this liberty, lights his calumet, enters the cabin of his mistress, and gently presents it to her. If she extinguishes it she

admits his addresses, but if she suffer it to burn unnoticed, he retires with a disappointed and throbbing heart.-ASHE'S Travels.

Stanza 23. 1. 6.

Trained from his tree-rock'd cradle to his bier.

An Indian child, as soon as he is born, is swathed

with clothes, or skins, and being laid on its back, is bound down on a piece of thick board, spread over

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