185 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



mony, melody or any variety in their tunfSi 

 However this may be, the savages are always 

 delighted with music. Their songs are of a 

 grave and serious turn. They never relate to the 

 concerns of gallantry and love, but to their most 

 serious employrnents. They have songs for war, 

 songs for victory" and songs for death. Each of 

 them is designed to excite and call forth the sen- 

 timents, feelings, and passions, that such occa- 

 sions require ; andthey have a great influence on 

 their feelings, and actions. Amidst the severest 

 sufferings of death,this is the resort of the savage; 

 and when burning at the stake, the last conso- 

 latioUjis to sing the song of triumph and death. 

 Dancing. Dancing has been one of the fa- 

 vorite amusements of all nations. In civilized 

 societies this amusement is designed to pro» 

 mote a refinement of manners ; and serves to 

 excite the sensibility, and dehcacy, which at- 

 taches and refines the sexes. Dancing is also 

 tlie favorite employment of the savage, in every 

 part of the globe. It calls forth his active pow- 

 ers, which, when unemployed, languish and de* 

 cay for want of exercise. And in no employ- 

 ment, does he become more animated, vigorous, 

 'and eager. Instead of being an amusem.ent, an 

 "afirair of gallantr}--, love, or refinement, dancing, 

 among the savages, is a ceremony of great im* 

 poitance and seriousness. With this ceremony 

 war is declared, an embassador is received, and 

 peace is concluded. It is by a dance, that ev- 

 eiy im.portant transaction in public or private 

 life, is celebrated. Their dances are generally 

 carried on by the men, and it is but seldom 

 that the women are permitted to join in them. 



