302 772^ Natural Historg 



them to make a Wife of : So tliat a Virgin, so much esteemed 

 and coveted by the Europeans, is in little value or request 

 amongst them. 



When a Man or Woman is arrived at a certain age of Ma- 

 turity, and has passed the Ceremonies practiced by their 

 Juration, and other Graduations and Qualifications amongst 

 them, and are allowed to be Housekeei)ers, it is then he makes 

 his Addresses to one or other of these for a Wife : When he 

 has obtained her consent, the Parents of both Parties (with 

 the consent of the King), agree about the matter, making a 

 promise of their Daughter to the Man that requires her for a 

 Wife; and it often happens that they converse and travel 

 together several Moons before they are acknowledged as 

 Man and Wife, or the Marriage published openly, these 

 being Customs allowed amongst them in all parts. After 

 this, the Man upon the least disgust or dislike may turn 

 her away, and take another: But if she should disapprove 

 of his Company, a Price is set upon her, and whoever takes 

 her, is obliged to pay the Fine to the former Husband, then 

 she becomes free from him, and is the latters Wife. 



Sometimes their Captains of War and gTeat Men keep 

 three or four of these Girls for their own use, when at the 

 same time they are so impotent and old as to be incapable to 

 make use of one of them, but these will always have their 

 Due, if there be either European or Indian that will accept 

 of their Favours. 



The Husband is never so displeas'd or enrag'd with the 

 Adulteress, as to put her to Death, or even to inflict any 

 grievous punishments on her, though she be caught in tne 

 very fact. But the rival becomes Debtor to the cornuted 

 Husband in some few trifles of little value amongst the Euro- 

 peans (yet much esteemed amongst them) which when paid, 



all 



