HISTORY OF VERMONT. 185 



ages of North Ainenca were sunk into the lowest 

 estate of filth and dirtiness. Nothing can ex- 

 ceed the nastiness that appears in their food, in 

 their cabins, and in their ganricnts. The ves- 

 sels in which they cook and eat their victuals, 

 are never washed. The dirt and grease in their 

 huts, are never remo\'ed or swept away. Their 

 garments are never changed or washed, until they 

 wear to rags, and waste away. No idea of 

 cleanliness seems to have entered into their 

 minds. This seems to be one of the customs, 

 common to all savages : Inactive and lazy, they 

 are all extremely filthy and dirty. 



Gaming, Gaming is an amusem.cnt, *o 

 which indolence and want of employment natu- 

 rally lead. Above the occupations of labour, 

 and without a taste for useful employments, 

 many in civilized life seek a relief in gaming, 

 for the pains of indolence ; and for a method, 

 to move and ao'itate a laneuid mind. Moved 

 by the samic cause and motive, the savage also 

 falls to gaming, as the most favorite amuse- 

 ment ; indolent and lifeless in all the exertions 

 of labour, he becom.es deeply engaged, impetu- 

 ous, and noisy in play. Every thing he posses- 

 ses, is staked at the^e diversions ; and he looses 

 his peace, his senses, and all that he is worth. 

 But these amusements do not issue in conten- 

 tion and quarrels : Though carried on v/ith a 

 frantic eagerness, they are generally managed, 

 and terminate in good humor and peace. 



SoN"Gs. Averse to all abstruse meditations, 

 the Indians are much delighted with songs. 

 To an European ear, their songs do not afford 

 much entertainment j nor can such discern har- 



