( 33* ) 



by which all the Indians are diftinguifh- 

 ed. The females, at the fame time, 

 are devoted to the fervice and affift- 

 ance of the mother, in her feveral em- 

 ployments. 



As the Indians are intirely ignorant 

 of Letters, they are unable to compre- 

 hend the manner in which they ob- 

 ferve the knowledge of things commu- 

 nicated by their affiftance ; and books 

 they behold with fuperftitious venera- 

 tion, as inftruments by which the know- 

 ledge of part and future fecrets are dis- 

 covered. They feem to have fome no- 

 tion of a future ftate ; but their ideas 

 on this particular are fo confufed and 

 doubtful, that they feem rather to hope 

 than believe a future exiftence : but 

 they feem by no means follicitous to 

 fatisfy themfelves on this fubjedt, there 

 being an indolent tranquillity and inat- 

 tention to futurity, which predominates 



not 



