194 A. METOWAC LEGEND. 



a woman whose original graces of mind, and literary acquire- 

 ments, might have well qualified her to present the characteris- 

 tics ot* her people in a just light before the public. The 

 accomplished Mrs. Jameson makes honorable mention of one, 

 who never failed to awaken the sympathy and respect of all 

 who approached her ; and none, who have ever listened to her 

 simple and earnest recital of the traditions of the red man will 

 fail of a sad tribute to her memory. Through her we beheld 

 the aboriginal in his own domain. Her stories had life and 

 soul, quaintncss and humor, and a directness of detail akin to 

 that of the Arabian Nights. 



The Indian sages, especially those of the Algonquin race, 

 (to which the Metowac, or Long Island tribes belonged,) 

 abound with stories and traditions, curious and interesting in 

 themselves, and not the less so from betraying no far-fetched 

 analogy to classical or inspired writings. Such is the story so 

 often told amongst them of Na-wi-qua, or the origin of Eye- 

 Brisht ! 



& 



It is well known that Chemanitou is at the head, and is 

 the ruler of all the lesser spirits, or Manittos : but these having 

 power over different departments of his kingdom, are in some 

 respects independent of him, and may in effect control his 

 motions, by withholding that, over which they preside, and 

 which may be necessary to his operations. This they not 

 infrequently do ; and although they in return are exposed to 

 discomfort and punishment, and are at length compelled to 

 yield, yet such is their freakishness and ambition, they are 

 often thwarting him in this way. 



