234 An Hijlorîcal Journal of 



proceeds more from SuperHition, than the Depravation of the 

 Heart. 



The Huronsy when we firfl began to converfe with them, were 

 more lafcivious, and very brutal in their Pleafures. The young; 

 Perfons of both Sexes abandoned themfelves without Shame to 

 all Manner of DifTolutenefs ; and it was chiefly among them, 

 that it was not efteemed a Crime for a Girl to proftitute herfelf. 

 Their Parents were the firft to engage them in this Way, and 

 many did the fame by their Wives, for a bafe Intereft. Many 

 never married, but took young Women to ferve them, as they 

 faid, for Companions ; and all the Différence they made between 

 thefe Concubines and their lawful Wives, was, that with the firfl 

 there was no Agreement made : For the reil, their Children were 

 on the fame Foot as the others ; which produced no Inconveni- 

 ence, in a Country where there are no Eilates to inherit. 



One does not diftinguifh Nations here by their Drefs. The 

 Men, when it is hot, have often only fomething of an Apron to 

 cover their Nakednefs. In Winter they clothe themfelves more 

 or lefs, according to the Climate. They wear on their Feet a 

 Sort of Sandals, made of Roe-Buck Skins fmoked : Their 

 Stockings are alfo Skins, or Bits of Stuffs, which they wrap 

 round their Legs. A Waiflcoat, made of Skin, covers them to 

 theWaifl:, and they wear over that a Rug or Blanket, when they 

 can have it ; if not, they make themfelves a Robe with a Bear's 

 Skin, or of feveral Beaver or other like Skins, or furs, with 

 the Hair inwards. The Women's Waiftcoats reach jufl below 

 their Knees ; and when it is very cold, or when they travel, 

 they cover their Heads with their Blanket, or their Robe. 

 I have feen feveral who had little Caps, like Skull Caps ; others 

 have a-^ort of Capuchin, faftened to their V/aiftcoats ; and they 

 have befides a Piece of Stuff which ferves them for a Petticoat, 

 which covers them from thelWaift down to the Middle of the Leg. 



They are all very defirous of having Shirts and Shifts ; but 

 they never put them under their Waiftcoats, but till they are 

 dirty, and then they wear them till they drop to Pieces, for they 

 never take the Trouble to wafh them. Their Waiftcoats are 

 generally dreifed in the Smoke, like their Sandals ; that is to fay^ 

 after they have hung a proper Time in it, they rub them a lit- 

 tle, and then they may be wafhed like Linen : They prepare 

 them alfo by foaking them in Water, then rubbing th^ with 

 their Hfinds till they are dry and pliable ; but the Savages think 

 our Stu^s and Blankets are much more convenient. 



Many make various Figures all over their Bodies by pricking 



IIq^\) the trick ^^^^^^^^^S' Others only in fome Parts. They 

 ^i. n ^-^T^^ don't do this merely for Ornament: They 

 thê Bod ' ' great Advantages by 



^•^^ this Cuftom. It ferves greatly to defend 



them 



