CHAP. xx_. INDIAN PROCESSION. 359 



thoughts and words which are the offspring of heathen 

 degradation among many tribes of wood Indians of 

 North America. The names given to children by their 

 parents are often such as could not be mentioned to 

 civilised ears. Mr. Anderson, in charge of the post at 

 Mingan, permitted me to see the journal he kept in 

 1840 and 1841 at JSTepigon, north of Lake Supe- 

 rior, and on the north shore of Lake Huron. He has 

 recorded there the Indian names of many of those who 

 were attached to the Hudson Bay Company's post as 

 hunters, and supplied the English translation. It is 

 sufficient to say that they are of such a nature that, to- 

 gether with many other characteristics of common life 

 among the Indians, they will probably remain for ever 

 unknown to the English reader. 



At six in the evening we assembled at the chapel to 

 take part in a procession which was to march to a large 

 cross 400 yards distant. After a short preliminary service, 

 the priest, in his robes, walked out of the chapel, and was 

 followed by the women, dressed as at morning service. 



Some Indian lads bearing a small platform, on which 

 was placed a half-veiled gilt image of the Virgin and Child 

 three feet high, next took up their position. The men 

 brought up the rear. As soon as the whole body of 

 Indians were assembled in the open air, two children 

 carrying a red cross headed the procession ; the women 

 followed two and two ; then came the lads with the image ; 

 then the priest with his two assistants clothed in surplices, 

 and holding lighted candles ; and finally the men. As 

 soon as the procession started the women began a chant, 

 in which the men soon joined. The singing continued 



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