( 55 ) 



This term being expired they put out all the 

 fires in the cabbin, to which me is to return •, they 

 fhake all the cloaths in it, and a' 4 ;her return light 

 a new fire the fame formalities nearly are ob- 

 ferved with regard to the fex in general during 

 the time of their courfes •, and not only while thefe 

 laft, but while a woman is with child, or giving 

 fuck, which they commonly do for three years 

 running, their huflbands never come near them •> 

 nothing would be more commendable than this 

 cuftom, provided both parties obferved the fidelity 

 they ought, all the while, but both fides often fail 

 in this refpect ; fuch is the corruption of the heart 

 of man, that the wifeft regulations are often pro- 

 ductive of the greateft diforders. It is even pre- 

 tended that the ufe of certain fimples, which have 

 the virtue of keeping back in women the natural 

 confequences of their infidelity, is familiar enough 

 in this country. 



Nothing can exceed the care which mothers take 

 of their children whi fh in the cradle but from the 

 moment they have weaned them, they abandon 

 them entirely to themfelves ; not out of hard 

 heartednefs or indifference, for they never lofe but 

 with their life the affection they have for them ; 

 but from a perfuafion that nature ought to be fuf- 

 fered to act upon them, and that fhe ought not to 

 be confined in any thing. The act which termi- 

 nates their ftate of infancy is the impofition of the 

 name, which amongft the Indians is a matter of 

 great importance. 



This ceremony is performed at a feaft, at which 

 are prefent none but perfons of the fame fex with 

 the child that is to be named ; during the repaft 

 the child remains on the knees of its father or 



E 4 mother, 



