294 The Natural History 



tune generally ends in a hearty fit of Langliter. But if any 

 of their kinsfolks have lost their Lives in the Flames, it is 

 then the Case is altered, and they become very pensive and 

 mourn for a considerable time, which always bears Propor- 

 tion to the dignity of the Person deceased, and the number 

 of Relations he had near him, who make a horrid howling 

 during that time. 



The Indian Women are never known to scold, and it is a 

 thing impossible to hear them make use of that unruly Mem- 

 ber the Tongue, with such Rage and Malice as our European 

 Dames are subject to, whom I could wish would set these 

 Indians for a Pattern, by which means there would be more 

 Quietness and better Harmony in most Families, than at 

 present is to be met with. Eor when these Indian Women 

 are provoked or affronted by their Plusbands, or any other 

 Persons, they resent the IndigTiity offered them in Silence, 

 Tears, or by refusing their Meat; these being always cer- 

 tain Signs that they have been injured and Affronted. 



l^either are the Men Passionate, or over hasty to act any 

 Affair with too much haste or impetuosity, never determin- 

 ing any Business of Moment without the greatest Delibera- 

 tion and Wariness imaginable, being more content with com- 

 mon Accidents and Misfortunes incident to human ^Nature 

 (such as Losses, contrary Winds, bad Weather, Poverty and 

 the like) than People of more civilized ]^ations. I never 

 felt any ill or unsavoury smell in their Cabins, whereas 

 should we live in our Houses as they do, we should be poi- 

 soned with our own J^astiness ; which confirms these Indians 

 to be, as they certainly are, some of the sweetest People in 

 the World. 



Their Women when they are young, and at Maturity, are 

 fine shaped Creatures (take them in general) as any in the 

 Universe ; and though they are of a tawny Complexion 



(which 



