198 



Domestic afifection cannot be considered strong among these races. 

 The ties between parent and child, husband and wife, seem Httle closer than 

 between more distant relatives,, or even others of the same tribe. Indeed, 

 the term "naika tilicum", my relation, or one of my j^eople, is more often 

 in their mouths than any denoting nearer kin. Mothers, it is true, show a 

 certain degree of affection toward their children; but even this is subject to 

 exceptions, or rather is itself an exception, as might be expected in such a 

 general state of profligacy. Men have a certain pride of ofi"spring, but it is 

 rather as an evidence of virility on their own part than arising from parental 

 care. As an evidence of this condition of things, the occurrence of infiinti- 

 cide, now less common than of old, is a sufficient proof Grandparents seem 

 to have a greater attachment to their descendants than do the immediate 

 progenitors. On the part of the children, the affection is still less. Between 

 husband and wife there is probably as little. A strong sensual attachment 

 undoubtedly often exists, which leads to marriage, as instances arc not rare of 

 young women destroying themselves on the death of a lover; but where the 

 idea of chastity is so entirely wanting in both sexes, this cannot deserve the 

 name of love, or it is at best of a temporary duration. A young man, 

 desirous of obtaining a wife, usually cohabits with her for a time before 

 purchasing her, during which he is gathering together the necessary amount 

 of property to be paid, or perhaps the courtship commences in this way — the 

 girl wishing a husband, and taking a straightforward mode of attracting one. 

 The condition of the woman is that of slavery under any circumstances. 

 She is the property of her father, of her nearest relative, or of her tribe, until 

 she becomes that of her husband. She digs the roots and prepares them for 

 winter, digs and dries clams, cures the fish which he catches, packs the 

 horses, assists in paddling the canoe, and performs all the menial offices. 

 The more wives a man possesses, therefore, the richer he is; and it is an object 

 for him to purchase others as his means increase. The accession of a new 

 wife in the lodge very naturally produces jealousy and discord, and the first 

 often returns for a time in dudgeon to her friends, to be reclaimed by her 

 husband when he chooses, perhaps after propitiating her by some presents. 

 The first wife almost always retains a sort of predominance in the lodge; and 

 the man, at least after his appetite for a subsequent one is satisfied, usually 



