400 TRAVEL S through 



order to get that affiftance from them which 

 they want •, the dcfire which the Europeans Ihew 

 of poflefling their furs and the eafe with which 

 they can obtain brandy and fire-arms in exchange 

 for them, often excite them to go through the 

 woods and hunt in the extent of two hundred 

 leagues around, in order to get thofe things, 

 which become real wants to them ; thus they 

 are only apparently fixed ; they preferve their 

 love for a rambling life, and the period of their 

 civilization feems as yet very diftant ; perhaps 

 they will deilroy each other before they come 

 to it. 



This is all that can be afierted with probabi- 

 lity on the population of America ; my letter 

 would be too long, if I would only mention a 

 hundredth part of what has been faid on this 

 fubjed. The fyflems and contrary opinions 

 which have been long publilhed, would make 

 confiderable volumes -, I have endeavoured to 

 confine myfelf to curious obfervations ; thofe 

 who think the ^Tartars have chiefly furniihed 

 America with inhabitants, feem to have hit the 

 true 'opinion ; you cannot believe how great 

 the refemblance of the Indian manners is to thole 

 of the ancient Scythians ; it is found in their 

 religious ceremonies, their cuftoms and in their 



food. 



