l8o TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [V'OL. V. 



keep their clothes clean there is no people in the world that has less 

 smell. All the Northern Indians, as well as those of the Copper River 

 and the Cote de Chien, bear, on each cheek, from three to four parallel 

 lines which they make with an awl or a needle inserted under the skin 

 which they rub with powdered charcoal when the instrument is with- 

 drawn. In general, the Northern Indians are very selfish ; I really 

 believe that they have no word in their language to express gratitude. 

 They speak incessantly of their poverty, and, during the whole time of 

 their stay at the fort, there is not one of them who does not complain of 

 a thousand needs." 



" Each of these Indians hastens to make known his misfortunes, real 

 or imaginary, and takes care to accompany his recital with sighs and 

 tears. There are some, even, who pretend to be lame or blind, the 

 better to excite pity. I know of no people so thoroughly masters of 

 themselves on such occasions, and, in that respect, the women are 

 superior to the men ; for, I can affirm having seen one, the one side of 

 whose face expressed joy, while the other was bathed in tears. * * * 

 Flattery is no less known to these Indians ; they make use of it as long 

 as interest prescribes it but no longer. * * * If, at the end of a 

 certain time, this conduct of theirs does not produce the effect intended, 

 they break forth into invectives. * * * por the rest, their rage is only 

 temporary, and they soon become reconciled with the man whom they 

 had intended to dupe. ' He is not a child,' they end by saying among 

 themselves, 'therefore he can't be taken in.' * * * In spite of these 

 bad qualities, the Northern Indians are still the most easil)' managed of 

 all those who frequent the Company's stores. As they drink little 

 liquor, they keep their senses, and confine their violence to conversation. 

 These Indians are, in general, very jealous of their wives, and I do not 

 doubt that the same is the case with them ; but they are too much 

 afraid of their husbands to dare exhibit the least suspicion. I cannot 

 better compare the attitude of a Northern squaw before her husband 

 than to that of European servants in the presence of their masters. The 

 marriages of these people are accompanied with no ceremony. All the 

 proposals and arrangements are made by the fathers and mothers or the 

 nearest relations, and the women, under these circumstances, seem to be 

 reduced to have no other will than that of their relations, who in their 

 choice simply consult interest. * * * Divorce is very common 

 among the Northern Indians. It arises often out of immoralit}-, but 

 more frequently still, from incompatibility of disposition or bad conduct 

 When it takes place, the ceremony begins with a volley of blows from 

 a stick which the husband applies to his wife, and ends with putting her 



