OF THE POLAR SEA. 



63 



The original character of the Crees must have been much modified 

 by their long intercourse with Europeans ; hence it is to be under- 

 stood, that we confine ourselves in the following sketch to their pre- 

 sent condition, and more particularly to the Crees of Cumberland 

 House. The moral character of a hunter is acted upon by the 

 nature of the land he inhabits, the abundance or scarcity of food, 

 and we may add, in the present case, his means of access to spi- 

 rituous liquors. In a country so various in these respects as that 

 inhabited by the Crees, the causes alluded to must operate strongly 

 in producing a considerable difference of character amongst the va- 

 rious hordes. It may be proper to bear in mind also, that we are 

 about to draw the character of a people whose only rule of conduct 

 is public opinion, and to try them by a morality founded on divine 

 revelation ; as we are not aware that it is in the power of any one, 

 who has been educated in a land to which the blessings of the Gos- 

 pel have extended, to use any other standard. 



Bearing these considerations in mind then, we may state the Crees 

 to be a vain, fickle, improvident, and indolent race, and not very strict 

 in their adherence to truth, being great boasters ; but, on the other 

 hand, they strictly regard the rights of property, are susceptible of the 

 kinder affections, capable of friendship, very hospitable, tolerably 

 kind to their women, and withal inclined to peace. 



Much of the faulty part of their character, no doubt, originates 

 in their mode of life : accustomed as a hunter to depend greatly on 

 chance for his subsistence, the Cree takes little thought of to-morrow ; 

 and the most offensive part of his behaviour — the habit of boasting 

 has been probably assumed as a necessary part of his armour, which 

 operates upon the fears of his enemies. They are countenanced, 

 however, in this failing by the practice of the ancient Greeks, and 

 perhaps by that of every other nation in its ruder state. Every Cree 

 fears the medical or conjuring powers of his neighbour ; but at the 

 same time exalts his own attainments to the skies. " I am God-like" 



