m POLYGAMT. 



terms. If these prove agreeable to the suitor, he immediately accepts 

 them, and the twain " become one flesh " without further ceremony. 



In case the woman has no father, her eldest brotlier fills his place,— and 

 if she have neitiier father nor brother, her next nearest relative assumes 

 the responsibility of bestowing her in marriage. 



If she be the eldest daughter, and has unmarried sisters, the bridegroom 

 becomes equally entitled to them, and is looked upon as their common hus- 

 t)and. 



The first year succeeding this new relation, the bride's family consider 

 all the horses and other valuables of tlie new-made husband as their cim; 

 the second year he is permitted to retain his personal property for the use 

 of himself and wife ; — but the third year he enjoys an equal right with his 

 relatives to everything in their possession. 



The decision of parents in the bestowment of a daughter in marriage is 

 generally controlled by the largeness of the amount offered ; thus showing 

 Siat civilized life is not the only condition in which individuals are some- 

 times governed by sordid motives in pronouncing upon questions of such 

 vital importance to tlie welfare of others. 



The female is the only party upon whom the marriage contract is con- 

 sidered binding. 



The man may sunder it at any time suiting nis convenience or caprice. 

 He has tlie power, even, to dispose of his wife to another, or, at a mere 

 word, to absolve himself from all obligation to her. In case of the latter, 

 the discarded one returns to her father's lodge, — ready again to test the re- 

 alities of tliis uncertain relationship, whenever an opportunity presents it- 

 •elf meeting with the approval of tliose who assume to make barter of 

 her alTections and person. 



A woman, to be happy in this state of society, should never indulge in 

 that faiicied passion, pictuted in such glowing colors. by crack-brained 

 poets and novel-writers, called love ; — or, if she has the assurance to do 

 otherwise, it should be of that more versatile and accommodating order, so 

 often exhibited in more refined circles, which may be reclaimed and trans- 

 ferred as interest or circumstances suggest. Her affections are siot at her 

 own disposal, and, to render life tolerable, she must learn to love only as 

 •he is loved, and to love herself above all others. 



Next to horses, women constitute an Indian's chief wealth. This cir- 

 cumstance not unfrequently results in one individual appropriating to 

 himself six or eight. 



The squaw is compelled to dress robes and skuis, make moccasins. 

 cure and take care of meat, attend to the horses, procure fire-wcod, and 

 perform sundry other little drudgeries that an Indian will not do. 

 Through her lie becomes possessed of the means of procuring from the 

 whites such articles as his necessities or fancy may require. A plurality 

 of wives with hun, therefore, is more a matter of economy than other 



