I30 



Section vi. 



Some imperfect strictures on indian language. 



The Indian languages, fuch at leafl as I have heard fpoken, are 

 pleafing to the ear. The Algonkin, ufed by various nations, from the 

 coaft of Labrador to the country of the Chipaweyans, (Hearne's) nor- 

 thern Indians, including the Caniftino tribes, and many to the weft- 

 ward of the great lakes, is perhaps the raofl: poliflied, as it is the moft 

 generally fpoken. This language is copious, and poffclTes all the qua- 

 lities that one wiflaes for in fpeech;* from the lips of the women, in 



their 



* An attention to tliis and to other native languages, woulc^, I think, have pre- 

 vented many conjeflural derivations of names, and many apparent milfakes which Euro- 

 peans have fellen into. As this language prevailed on the Labrador fide, fo I find 

 many traces of it in the names of places, far on the other fide of the St. Law- 

 rence; and even in the united flates. The inhabitants of the Atlantic coaft fpoke this 

 language, a s I have found by various proofs. Mahingan or IVolf-IJland in the dif- 

 tria of Maine, a name dill retained, is Algonkin. Calico Bay, in the (late of New 

 Hamplhire, derives its name from the fame fource : Caijcou, in Algonkin means Her- 

 ring-Bay, for ijk fignifies a herring, by the addition of a it becomes a verb, ijhu, which 

 Cgnifies herrings abound ; and ha or ca prefixed, as in the Greek, exprefles the place 

 where herrings abound : a defcription which is (rue of that delightful bay at this day. 

 Kenebeck river in the fame dillri(?l, is the river of fnakes, for Kenebec, in Algonkin, fig- 

 nifies a fnake. Up this river was the the great paflage for the Incfians into Canada, 

 through a lake which lies between its fource and the Chaudiere, that falls into the 

 St. Lawrence. The real name of this lake is Aliianlic, or Paflage-Lake, from Mikan 

 a paffage or way, marking its fituation and ufe ; now called without meaning, Megan- 

 tici, as Mi/jisconi river and bay, Mijfimifconi, every where blood, from being the feat 

 of the wars between the Iroquois and Algonkin tribes, always hoftile, have their name 

 replaced in the laft Englilh map, by one utterly infignificant. Bik, Rock-IJland, in the 

 river St. Lawrence, ftill retains its name. ^lebeck, at firft better written Kebek retains 

 its name a little difguifed. The diftinguilhing feature of ^ebec is the rocky cape, cal- 

 led Cafe Diamond, by a late traveller ftated to be a thoufand feet high, but which is 



