Cap. IX. The Caribby4flands. 24.9 



here, out of a prefumption that it will not be undelightful to 

 thofe, who (hall make it their divertifement to read this Hiftb- 

 ry j at leaft while we are yet in expectation that that excellent 

 perfon will give us a perfect accompt of the ftate of the Apala- 

 chites, and fome others of the Neighbouring Nations., as he 

 puts us in hope that he will. 



GHAP. IX. 

 Of the Bodies of the Caribbians, andtheir Ornaments. 



WE are now to re-afftime our former difcourfe, and re- 

 turn from Florida to the Caribby-Jjlands, to confider 

 there, with all the exa&nefs imaginable, what concerns thofe 

 Inhabitants thereof on whom we intend to beftow the remain- 

 ing part of this Hiftory, and particularly what relates to their 

 Bodies, Minds, Difpofitions, Manners, Religion, Cuftoms, and 

 other remarkable occurrences concerning the favage Caribbi- 

 ans Or Cannibals, of whofe origine we have already given fo 

 large an account. 



And whereas fome of the Caribbians who inhabit in the fame 

 Iflands wherein the French and other European Nations have 

 planted Colonies, or at leaft come often among them, accom- 

 modate themfelves in many things to their manner of life, and 

 that they may be the more kindly received by them, they quit 

 many of their old Cuftoms 5 thofe who are defirous to be ac- 

 quainted with the ancient manners of the Caribbians, are not to 

 learn them of the Caribbians who live in Martinico, or thofe 

 who converfe moft with the Europeans 5 but from thofe of St. 

 Vincent, who of all others have held leaft correfporidence with 

 any Forreigners .* It is accordingly from them that we have re- 

 ceiv'd what we {hall hereafter relate concerning the Caribbi- 

 ans : But before we enter into the relation, we (hall make fome 

 general obfervations, to prevent the aftoniihment which the 

 Reader might conceive at the difference there is between the 

 account we give of them,and what he may receive from others, 

 either by word of mouth or writing. 



In the firft place, it is to be acknowledged a thing almoft im- 

 poffible, that the Relations of Countries and Cuftoms at fo 

 great a diftance from us, Ihould agree in all things, efpecially 

 fince we find that thofe of neighbouring Countries are for the 

 moft part differing among themfelves. 



Secondly, it is to be obferved, that fince the Caribbians be- 

 came familiar, and have converfed with forreign Nations, they 

 have remitted much of their ancient Cuftoms, and quired many 



K k things 



