77 



ritual nymphs,* and perform for men tlie offices of 

 Lares or familiar spirits. There is not an Araucaniaii 

 but imagines he has one of these in his service. Nien 

 cai gni Amchi-malghen, I keep my nymph still, is a 

 common expression when they succeed in any un- 

 dertaking. 



The Araucanians carry still farther their ideas of 

 the analogy between the celestial government and 

 their own, for as their Ulmenes have not the right 

 of imposing any species of service or contributions 

 upon their subjects, still less in their opinion should 

 those of celestial race require it of man, since they 

 have no occasion for it. Governed by these singular 

 opinions, they pay to them no exterior worship. 

 They have neither temples nor idols, nor are they 

 accustomed to offer any sacrifices, except in case of 

 some severe calamity, or on concluding a peace ; at 

 such times they sacrifice animals and burn tobacco, 

 which they think is the incense most agreeable to 

 their deities. Nevertheless they invoke them and 

 implore their aid upon urgent occasions, addressing 

 themselves principally to Pillan and to Mculen. To 

 this little regard for religion is owing the indifference 

 which they have manifested at the introduction of 

 Christianity among them, which is tolerated in all the 

 provinces of their dominion. The missionaries are 

 there much respected, well treated, and have full 

 liberty of publicly preaching their tenets, but, not- 

 withstanding, there are but few of the natives who 

 are converted. 



* More properly perîs or fairies, from their obvious resemblance 

 to that aerial class of beings of oriental oi,«jgin. 



