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the elks and moufe-deer merely for the pleaflire of kiU 

 ling them, and to fhew their dexterity. They had 

 not even the precaution to incerpofe the authority of 

 the prince to flop fuch a flagrant diforder. But the 

 greater!: mifchiefs arofe from the infatiable avidity of 

 private perfons, who applied themfelves folely to 

 this commerce. 



They arrived for the mod part from France, with 

 nothing but what they had on their backs, and they 

 were impatient to appear in a better fituation. At 

 firft this was an eafy matter ^ the Indians knew not 

 what riches were contained in their woods, till the 

 rapacioufnefs with which their furs were bought up 

 made them acquainted with it - 9 prodigious quanti- 

 ties were got from them for trifles, which many 

 would not have been at the trouble to gather toge- 

 ther. Even fince they have had their eyes opened 

 with refpect to the value of this commodity, and 

 have acquired a tafte for fomething more folid, it 

 was for a long time very eafy to fatisfy them at a 

 fmall expence and with a little prudence this trade 

 might have been continued on a tolerable good foot- 

 ing. 



Neverthelefs, we mould be puzzled to name but 

 one family at this day which has grown rich by this 

 traffick. We have feen fortunes equally immenfe 

 and fudden, rife up 5 and difappear almoft at the fame 

 time, not unlike to thofe moving mountains mention- 

 ed by travellers, which the wind raifes or throws down 

 in the fandy defarts of Africa. Nothing has been 

 more common in this country than to fee people 

 dragging out a languifhing old age in mifery and 

 difgrace, after having been in a condition to fettle 

 themfelves on an honourable footing. , After all, 

 Madam, thofe fortunes which private perfons, who 



never 



