INDIAN GENEROSITY. xHx 



accord. That well-known self-control, which, originating 

 in a form of pride, covered the savage nature of the man 

 with a veil, opaque, though thin, contributed not a little to 

 the same end. Though vain, arrogant, boastful, and vin- 

 dictive, the Indian bore abuse and sarcasm with an aston- 

 ishing patience. Though greedy and grasping, he was 

 lavish without stint, and would give away his all to soothe 

 the manes of a departed relative, gain influence and ap- 

 plause, or ingratiate himself with his neighbors. In his 

 dread of public opinion, he rivalled some of his civilized 

 successors. 



All Indians, and especially these populous and sta- 

 tionary tribes, had their code of courtesy, whose require- 

 ments were rigid and exact ; nor might any infringe it 

 without the ban of public censure. Indian nature, in- 

 flexible and unmalleable, was peculiarly under the con- 

 trol of custom. Established usage took the place of law, 



— was, in fact, a sort of common law, with no tribunal 

 to expound or enforce it. In these wild democracies, 



— democracies in spirit, though not in form, — a respect 

 for native superiority, and a willingness to yield to it, 

 were always conspicuous. All were prompt to aid each 

 other in distress, and a neighborly spirit was often 

 exhibited among them. When a young woman was per- 

 manently married, the other women of the village sup- 

 plied her with firewood for the year, each contributing an 

 armful. When one or more families were without shel- 

 ter, the men of the village joined in building them a 

 house. In return, the recipients of the favor gave a feast, 

 if they could ; if not, their thanks were sufficient.^ 



1 The following testimony concerning Indian charity and hospitahty 

 is from Eagueneau : " As often as we have seen tribes broken up, towns 

 destroyed, and their people driven to flight, we have seen them, to the 

 number of seven or eight hundred persons, received with open arms by 



p. 



