TbeHifloryof Book I. 



them to admit of any change in either : nay though they are 

 one of the pooreft and moft barbarous Nations under the Sun, 

 yet do they think themfelves the moft happy, and beft provi- 

 ded for of any *, and they are fo well conceited of their manner 

 of life, that the civilities of all other people are accounted 

 by them unbefeeming , favage , and extreamly ridiculous 

 actions. 



This high efteem they have conceiv'd of their condition 

 contributes not a little to that fatisfa&ion and tranquility of 

 mind which is legible even in their countenances : belidesthat 

 they are not difturb'd by any vain defigns which might inter- 

 rupt their quiet : They know nothing of thole gnawing cares 

 and pinching diftradtions wherewith the inordinate defire of 

 wealth torments the greateft part of mankind. The conveni- 

 ences of fair and fumptuous buildings, the fame attending gal- 

 lant actions, the delights of great entertainments, the know- 

 ledg of excellent things, and what we think moft advances the 

 pleafure and enjoyments of life, having not yet found the way 

 intothefe Countries, their thoughts accordingly are not trou* 

 bled about the acquisition thereof.* but to get thofe things 

 which are precifely neceftary for their fubfiftence and clothing, 

 with as little trouble as may be, ! is the end of all their confulta- 

 tations and defigns. 



Their ordinary Exercifes , nay indeed Employments , are 

 Fifhing and Hunting j and though they have no Fire-arms nor 

 Nets, yet ingenious and inventive Neceffity hath infpir'd them 

 with other ways whereby they effect their defires. They eat 

 whatfoever they feed on without any dreffing, or any other 

 (auce then hunger : nay they laugh at thofe who boil filh or 

 flelh, affirming that the fire takes away the natural tafte there- 

 of, and what makes them acceptable to them. 



Though they need no fire todrefs their meat, yet they very 

 much commend the ufe of it, and their Cares are not deftitute 

 of it in the winter time •> both by its light to abate fomwhat of 

 the tedioufnefs of that long night which reigns in their Coun- 

 try, and by its heat the cold whereby they are befieged of all 

 fides : But when they take their reft, or are fore'd to go out of 

 their Caves, they put on a certain Fur, which by the excellent 

 difpofal of Divine Providence lecures them againft the inju- 

 ries of the cold, though they lay in the mid ft of the fnow. 



The mens cloths, are a Shirt, a pair of Breeches, a ftiort 

 Coat, and a kind of Buikins : The Shirt comes but a little be- 

 low the Wafte : It hath a Capuchon, or Cap annexed to it, to 

 come over the head and neck : It is made of the bladders of 

 great fifties cut into long pieces of equal bredth, and very 

 aeatly fewn together : It hath no opening at the breaft as ours 

 have -j but that it may not rent when it is put on, the ends of 

 the fleeves, the head-piece, and the bottom of it are hemm'd 



in 



