160 A JOURNEY TO THE 



1771. this country to exchange a night's lodging with each other's 

 J""^- wives. But this is so far from being considered as an act 

 which is criminal, that it is esteemed by them as one of the 

 strongest ties of friendship between two families ; and in case 

 of the death of either man, the other considers himself bound 

 to support the children of the deceased. Those people are so 

 far from viewing this engagement as a mere ceremony, like 

 most of our Christian god-fathers and god-mothers, who, 

 notwithstanding their vows are made in the most solemn 

 manner, and in the presence of both God and man, scarcely 

 ever afterward remember what they have promised, that there 

 is not an instance of a Northern Indian having once neglected 

 the duty which he is supposed to have taken upon himself to 

 perform. The Southern Indians, with all their bad qualities, 



shrinks from the task of accounting for the decrees of Providence on such 

 occasions as this : but they are the strongest assurances of a future state, so 

 infinitely superior to the present, that the enjoyment of every pleasure in this 

 world by the most worthless and abandoned wretch, or the most innocent and 

 virtuous woman perishing by the most excruciating of all deaths, are matters 

 equally indifferent. But, 



" Peace to the ashes, and the virtuous mind. 

 Of her who lived in peace with all mankind ; 

 Learn'd from the heart, unknowing of disguise, 

 Truth in her thoughts, and candour in her eyes ; 

 Stranger alike to envy and to pride, 

 Good sense her light, and Nature all her guide ; 

 But now removed from all the ills of life, 

 Here rests the pleasing friend and faithful wife." — WALLER. 



Her father was, undoubtedly, very blamable for bringing her up in the 

 tender manner which he did, rendering her by that means not only incapable 

 of bearing the fatigues and hardships which the rest of her countrywomen 

 think little of, but of providing for herself. This is, indeed, too frequent a 

 practice among Europeans in that country, who bring up their children in 

 so indulgent a manner, that when they retire, and leave their offspring behind, 

 they find themselves so helpless, as to be unable to provide for the few wants 

 to which they are subject. The late Mr. Ferdinand Jacobs, many years Chief 

 at York Fort, was the only person whom I ever knew that acted in a different 

 manner; though no man could possibly be fonder of his children in other 

 respects, yet as there were some that he could not bring to England, he had 

 them brought up entirely among the natives ; so that when he left the country, 

 they scarcely ever felt the loss, though they regretted the absence of a fond and 

 indulgent parent. 



