HISTORY OF VERMONT. 161 



stages of his progress from the one state to the 

 other, he passes through an endless variety of 

 situations and circumstances, which are con- 

 stantly giving a new appearance to his capacity, 

 powers, passions, manners, and pursuits. The 

 natural histoiy of man is therefore the most dif- 

 ficult, but it is also the most useful and impor- 

 tant subject we can contemplate. In examin- 

 ing the history of the Indian of America, we 

 shall find m.an in the most simple, rude, and 

 unimproved state, in which he has ever been 

 placed, or view^ed.* 



Appearance and Countenan-«ce. The 

 appearance of the Indians was different from any, 

 under ^vhich man had ever been viewed before. 

 The colour of their skin is of a reddish brown, 

 nearly resembling the colour of copper, but 

 rather darker. Their faces are broad, the nose 

 appears flattish, their eyes black, small, and ve- 

 ry active. The hair of their heads is always 

 black, coarse, long, and perfectly straight ; and 

 they generally appear without any beard. The 

 men are taller than the Europeans, but rarely 

 corpulent ; and their bodies appear to be firm, 

 strong, and well proportioned. Their features 

 are regular and well adjusted, but their coun- 

 tenance discovers something wild, fierce, and 

 sullen. None of them are seen crooked, mu- 

 tilated, or deformed ; defective in any of their 

 senses, or deficient in any of their bodily organs ; 

 but straight, well built, and robust. In the ap- 



♦ THE following account relates chiefly to the Indians in the nor- 

 thern parts of America. I have received much assistance from the wri- 

 tings of Dr. Robertson, and other authors. But the authoiities on which 

 the accounts are founded, arc chiefly the relations of those persons who 



have lived among tbe Indians, and been intimately aciuainteU with them. 



