124 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
that he made on the west coast. He also studied the native character, 
and in his account he remarks that “he never saw them armed or dis- 
trustful. He followed them into their family circle and found them good 
husbands and good fathers; he lived several days, as it were, in intimacy 
with them ; he studied them as much as it is possible to do when people 
explain themselves only by signs; and everything he relates of their 
manners, their customs, and their character, announces a hospitable, 
mild, intelligent, laborious and intelligent people, endowed with great 
good sense, to whom the useful arts are not unknown, who join to these 
even the agreeable ones, and may be said to have already made consider- 
able advances toward civilization.” Dixon on the contrary, charges them 
with cannibalism. and describes them as dirty, thievish, impudent and 
murderous people. I believe the Indians on these islands are the finest 
and fiercest race on the coast. They were once a very powerful nation 
and the terror of all the surrounding tribes. A hundred years ago they 
numbered about six thousand. Where are they now? The gihangs, or 
tall, carved columns, and the quaint old legends connected with them, are 
still in existence ; but the people, they are gone! The boxes in which 
they buried their dead, fixing them on two large posts, are decaying and 
fast disappearing, and mummified remains are all that is left of the 
ancient, skilful and fierce Haidas. 
Why have they so decreased ? One reason is, that years ago, whole 
families were swept away by that dreadful epidemic, small-pox. There 
was then no one to care for them in their sickness, or to speak to them 
of the Saviour of the world when they were dying. Another reason of 
their disappearance is that high wages and promise of constant work are 
held out to them by parties in Victoria, New Westminster and elsewhere, 
so that they leave their native homes either to die in a few short years by 
the miserable life they lead, mainly due to the evils of the spirit traffic 
or return home ruined both in body and soul. 
Harpa TRIBES. 
There were formerly thirty-nine Haida villages, but now there are 
only five, situated at Masset, Skidegate, Gold Harbour, Houkan and 
Cassan. The latter two are on the American side. The thirty-nine 
tribes formerly were the 
1, Da Haadé, who lived in a village called Tian IInigé, east of Nesto. 
Tas Lennas, who lived in Ti Inigé, near Sisk. 
. Kais Haadé, who lived at Dadans, near North Island. 
Shagwau Lennas, who lived at Kung, near Virago Sound, 
Kungwau Lennas, of Néedan, in Virago Sound, 
Chichkitoné, who lived at a village below Yén, 
. Stling Lennas, of Yén. 
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