Travels in North America. 123 



plied the Befeél by a Sort of Hieroglypuivi^o. ^'^':'*:\îng fur- 

 prifed them more than to fee us exprefs ourfelves as eafîly by 

 writing as by fpeaking. 



If it is afked how we know that the Sicu, the Huron, and the 

 Algcnquin^ Sire rather Mother Tongues than fome of thcfe which 

 we look upon as their DialeéyS, I anfvver, that it is not eafy to 

 mifiake in this, and I think there needs no other Proof than the 

 Words of the Abbe Duor/s, which Î have already cited ; but in 

 fhort, as we can judge here onîv by Ccmparifon, iF from thefc 

 Reflexions we may cGp.clude that the Languages of ail the Savages 

 of Ca^:ada^Te derived from thofe three which i have noted, I allow 

 it does rsot prove abfoluteiy that thefe are primitive, and of the 

 ûrH Inliitu- tion of Languages. I add, that thefe People have in 

 their Difcourfe fom.cthing cf the Afatic Genius, which gives 

 Things a Turn, and figurative Exprciilcns ; and this is, perhaps, 

 what has perfuaded fome Perfcns that they derive their Origin 

 from Jfia, which feems probable enough* 



The People cf the Hurcn Language h^ve always applied them- 

 felves more than the others to cultivating the Land; they have' 

 alfo extended themfelves much lefs, which has produced two 

 EiFeéls : For in the firil Place, they are better fettled, better 

 lodged, and better fortified; and there has always been amcngil 

 them more Policy, and a more difcinguiilied Fcrm of Gcver- 

 ment. The Quality cf Chief, at leaR' among the true Huronsy 

 which z.xç:ÛitTic7inGntaies^ is Hereditary. In the fécond Place, till 

 the Ircqucis Wars, of v/hicli we have been Vvitnelies, their Coun- 

 try was more peopled, though they never allowed Polygamy. 

 They are alfo reputed more induilrious, more dexterous in their 

 Affairs, and more prudent in their Refolutions; Vv'hich cannot be 

 attributed but to a Spirit of Society, vvhich they have preferved 

 better than the others. This is remiarkedparticularly cf the Eurcnsy 

 that tho'fcarcely any longer a Nation, and reduced to two Villa- 

 ges not very large, and at a great Diilance one froni the other ; 

 yet they are the Soul of all the Councils, when they confult on 

 any general Affairs. It is true, that in Spite of that Diil-er- 

 ence which is not feen at the liril Glance, there is much Refem- 

 blance in the Senfe, the Manners, and all the Cufiom.s of the 

 Savages oî Canada ; but this is the Confequence cf the Inter- 

 ccurfe which has been always between them for many Aees. 



This would be the Place to (peak to you concerning the Go« 

 \;ernment of thefe People, of cheir Cuiloms, and of their .Re- 

 ligion ; but I fee nothing in this yet but a Chaos, v/hich it is 

 impoffible for me to clear up. 



There are fome Travellers who make no Scruple to fill their 

 Journals with whatever they hear (aid, without trouhlino- them- 

 kl^«s about the Truth of any Thing. Yoa would not .hl^Jjii «is. 



