* 20 2 An Hijîorîcal Journal of 



himfelf eafy without. Sometimes there were Troops of People that 

 made Sham-Fights ; fometimes Companies of Dancers, who 

 adled all Sorts of Farces. This Madnefs lafted four Days, and 

 it appeared that it was out of Refpeél to the two Je/uits that they 

 had thus fhortened the Time : But there were as many Diforders 

 committed in this Space of Time, as they ufed to do in fifteen 

 Days. Neverthelefs, they had this further Regard for the 

 Miffionaries, that they did not difturb them in their Funélions, 

 and did not hinder the Chrifiians from acquitting themfelves of 

 their religious Duties, But I have faid enough on this Arti- 

 cle, I clofe my Letter to give it to a Traveller, who is return- 

 ing to the Colony, affiiring you that 



/ amy &;c. 



LETTER XXIV. 



Sequel of the Traditions of the Savages, 



Madam, Jt the Fort of the Ri'verSr. Joseph, Sept. 14. 



THREE Days ago I left this Place, to go to Chicagou, by 

 coafring the South fhore of Lake Michigan ; but we found 

 the Lake fo rough, that we thought it better to return hither ; and 

 take another Route to get to Louijiana. Our Departure it fixed 

 for the 1 6th, and I fhali take Advantage of thele two Days De- 

 lay, to proceed in my Account of the CuHoms and Traditions of 

 our Americans* 



The Savages, in what I faid to you in my former Letter, ac- 

 Of the il k^^^^^^^o^ ^^^y Operations of the Good 

 Genii and of "^h "^^^ Wizards alone, and thofe who 



W'z^rd ^ ^-^ ^ ufe Enchantments, are reputed to hold any 



^ ^ ^' Correfpondence with the Evil ; and 'tis Wo- 



men moil commonly that follow this deteftable Trade. The 

 Jugglers by Profeffion not only forbear it, at leafl openly, but 

 they make it a particular Study, to knpw how to difcover En- 

 chantments, and to hinder their pernicious EfFedls. At the Bot- 

 tom, in ail the Stories I have heard on this Matter, there is fcarce 

 any Thing but juggling. They ufe on thefe Occafions either Ser- 

 pents, out of which they take the Venom ; or Herbs, gathered 

 at certain Seafons ; or pronounce certain Words ; or ufe Ani- 

 mals whofe Throats they have cut, and fome Parts of which are 

 thrown intQ the FirCr 



Amonf^ 



