SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. 22 3" 



timities, thus encouraging this fatal propensity, instead of 

 checking it altogether. In this respect the Jesuits were 

 wiser if not more humane than our countrymen, since they 

 are reported by Grangula, an Iroquois chief, " to stave all 

 the barrels of brandy that are brought to our cantons, lest 

 the 'people getting drunk, should knock them in the 

 head."* 



It is the duty of a good Indian to offer, on many occa- 

 sions, sacrifices to the Master of Life ; he ought to give 

 feasts frequently, and expose the skins of white deer upon 

 trees, as an offering to the Great Spirit. In such cases he 

 never partakes of the entertainment himself ; but his friends 

 eat it all up, with the exception of a small part which is 

 thrown into the fire. The business of men consists in hunt- 

 ing, fighting, building their lodges, digging their canoes, 

 taking care of their horses, making wooden spoons, &c. ; 

 while it is the duty of women to hew wood, to carry water, 

 to plant and raise corn, to take care of their families, and, in 

 the absence of the men, they must attend to their horses, build 

 their lodges, &c. Man's chief and best occupation is hunting; 

 he will never fight unless aggrieved by his enemies, in which 

 case it becomes his duty to resent the injury. A good hunter 

 is held in high esteem and will obtain as many wives as he 

 chooses, because they know that he can support them, but 

 the good warrior is esteemed the first man in the nation. 



A woman, in order to deserve the appellation of good, 

 ought to be endued with most of the qualities which con- 

 stitute virtue among civilized females. To be obedient and 

 affectionate to her husband is her first duty. Kind to 

 all her children, partial to none ; affable and courteous to 



* " Lahontan's new Voyages to North America, done into English, 

 London, 1703." Vol. 1, p. 40. 



