LOUISIANA. 299 



kton, and plucks off all the mufcles, nerves 

 jand tendons that ftill remain ; they bury them 

 and depofit the bones in a cheft, after colouring 

 the head with vermillion. The relations weep 

 during this ceremony, which is followed by a 

 feaft, with which thofe friends are treated who 

 come to pay their compliments of condolence ; 

 after that, the remains of their late relation are 

 brought to the common burying ground, and 

 put in the place where his anceftor's bones were 

 depofited. During the performance of thefc 

 fad ceremonies, a deep filence is obferved, they 

 neither fing nor dance, and every one goes 

 home weeping. 



In the firft days of November they celebrate 

 a great feaft, which they call the feaft of the 

 xlead, or of the fouls ; ail the families then go 

 to tlie burying-ground, and with tears in their 

 eyes vifit the chefts which contain the relics of 

 relations, and when they return, they give a 

 great treat, which finifties the feaft. 



It may be fold in praife of thefe Americans, 

 .that the friend (hip fubfifting among the relations, 

 a thing uncommon in Europe, is worthy of imi- 

 tation. I have mentioned fome inftances of it 

 }iyhich exceed thofe of antiquity. The mutual 



love 



