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flaves to human refpect : they are alfo accufed of 

 being light a*nd inconftant ; but this is rather 

 owing to the fpirit of independance than to their 

 natural character, as I have already remarked of 

 the Canadians. They are eafily offended, jealous 

 and fufpicious, efpecially of us Frenchmen ; trea- 

 cherous when it is for their intereft ; great dif- 

 femblers, and exceeding vindictive ; no length of 

 time extinguifhes in them the thirft of vengeance ; 

 this is the deareft inheritance they leave to their 

 children, and is tranfmitted from generation to 

 generation, till an occafion is found to put it in 

 execution. 



With refpect to the qualities of the heart, the 

 Indians do not value themfelves much upon them, 

 or, to fpeak more properly, have no virtues in 

 them : they feem even incapable of confidering 

 them in this light ; friendfhip, companion, gra- 

 titude, attachment, are all known to them in fome 

 degree, but proceed not from the heart, and are in 

 them lefs the effect of a good natural difpofition, 

 than of reflection. Their care of orphans, wi- 

 dows and infirm perfons, the hofpitality which 

 they exercife in fo admirable a manner, are in 

 them no more than a confequence of a per- 

 fuafion, that all ought to be in common a- 

 mongft men. Fathers and mothers have an af- 

 fection for their children which extends even to 

 weaknefs, but which never induces them to render 

 them virtuous, and which appears purely animal. 

 Children on their fide mew no return of natural 

 love for their parents, and even fometimes treat 

 them with indignity, efpecially their fathers. I 

 have been told examples of it which ftrike us with 

 horror, and which I cannot relate : that which 

 follows was publickly known. 



