Travels in North Âmtrîca. loj 



Thefe, Madam, are the Failings of which they accufe, with the 

 n J J I ^ moft Foundation, the Fr^/^rî' of C^w/2^<2, The 

 ^ood ana baa gavages have alfo the fame ; one would think 

 ^alities of tbe ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^.^j,^ ^^^^ breathe in this vaâ 

 Creoles oj i^ana- ^ontinont contributes to it ; but the Exam- 

 ^'^^ pie and Company of the natural Inhabitants, 



who place all their Happinefs in Liberty and Independence, are 

 more than fufficient to form this Charaéler. They accufe alfo 

 our Creoles of being very greedy, and of heaping up Riches, and 

 truly for this Purpofe, they perform Things one would not 

 believe v>^ithout feeing : The Journies they undertake, the Fa- 

 tigues they endure, the Dangers they expofe themfelves to, the Ef- 

 forts they make, exceed all Imagination. There are, notv/ithlland- 

 in-g', few Men lefs covetous, v/ho diffipate more eafily what has 

 coil them fo much Pains to acquire, and who ihew lefs Concera 

 for having loft it. And there is no Room to doubt, but thac 

 they generally undertake thefe painful and dangerous Journies 

 through Inclination. They love to breathe an open Air, they 

 are accuftomed betimes to live a roving Life ; it has Charms 

 for them that makes them forget the paft Dangers and Fatigues 5 

 and they pride themfelves in braving them anew. They have 

 much Wit, (efpecially the Women, whofe Wit is brilliant anâ 

 eafy). They are faithful in Expedients, bold, and capable of 

 conducing Affairs of the greateft Moment. You have known^ 

 Madam, more than one of this Charader, and you have oftea 

 expreffed to me your Surprize at it. I do afîure you, that 

 the greateft Part here are fuch ; and they are the fame in all 

 Ranks. 



I know nor whether I fhould place among the Failings of 

 the Canadians^ the good Opinion they have of themfelves, ît 

 is certain at leaft that it infpires them with a Confidence that 

 makes them undertake and execute what would feem impoffible 

 to many others. We rnuil allow, on the oiher Hand, that they 

 have excellent Qualities. They are of a good Stature, and well 

 ihaped in Body. Their Strength of Conftitution is not always 

 anfwerable thereto ; and if the Canadians live long, they are old 

 and worn out betimes. This is not entirely their own Fault, it 

 is partly that of their Parents, who for the moft Part do not 

 watch enough over their Children to hinder them from ruining 

 « their Health in an Age, in which, when it is ruined, there is no 

 Refource. Their Agility and Dexterity are without equal ; 

 the moft fkilful Savages do not guide their Canoes better iîi 

 the moft dangerous Torrents, and are not better Markfmen, 



Many People are perfuaded that they are not fit for the 

 Sciences, which require much Application, and a Courfe of 

 Study, Î cannot fay whether this Prejudice is well or ill 

 0 " founded. 



