406 The Natural Historic 



little Meat tliej are allowed to eat is the nastiest loathsome 

 stuff imaginable. After the time is expired they are brought 

 out of the Cabin, which is not in the Town, but at some dis- 

 tance from it, and is guarded by an Indian or two, nominated 

 for that purpose, who Watch by turns. When they appear 

 or first come abroad, they are as poor and Meager as it is 

 possible for any Creatures to be, resembling rather Skeletons 

 than living Men; several of them dying under this Diaboli- 

 cal discipline. Moreover they either really are or pretend to 

 be Dumb, and do not spake for a Month after they are out of 

 their Confinement. It is likewise said that after this Disci- 

 pline is over, they have intirely forgot all the Actions of 

 their past Lives. 



These Savages are described in their proper Colours but 

 by very few, for those that generally write Histories of this 

 New World are such as Interest, Preferment, or Merchan- 

 dize draw thither, who know no more of the People or Coun- 

 try, than I do of the Laplanders. If we will make just Re- 

 marks, how near such Relations approach Truth, we shall find 

 few worthy of Entertainment, and many parts of their Works 

 stuft with Invectives against the Government they liv'd un- 

 der, on which Stage is commonly acted greater Barbarities in 

 murdering worthy Men's Reputations, than all the Savages 

 of the New World are capable of equalizing, or even imitating. 

 These Authors likewise pretend to various and strange ac- 

 counts, about them, but their -Relations seem much fitter to 

 fill a Novel than a History. I must therefore beg leave of the 

 Gay Part of the World, who seem infinitely pleased with such 

 Relations in not gratifying them with the Particulars, which 

 they themselves will give less Credit to every Day as their 

 Judgment ripens. 



Lastly, 



