Cap. XI V. The Canbby-4 (lands. 287 



of the foul, as we have reprefented it, yet they fpeak focotK 

 fufedly, and with fo much uncertainty of the (rate of the foul 

 feparated from the body, that we mould fooner have done t6 

 fay they were abfolutely ignorant thereof, than let down their 

 extravagant Relations. Some affirm, that the mod: valiant of 

 their Nation are carried after their death into certain Fortu- 

 nate Ijlands where they have all things at their with, and that 

 the Arouagues are there their Haves $ that they fwim unwearied 

 in great Rivers^ that they live delicioufly, and fpend the time 

 in dancing, playing, and feafting, in a land which produces in 

 abundance all forts of excellent fruits without any cultiva- 

 tion: On the contrary they hold, thatthofe who were cowardly 

 & afraid to go to the wars againft their Enemies, do after death 

 ierve the Arouagms^ Who inhabite barren and defart Countries 

 beyond the Mountains : But others who are more brutifli ne- 

 ver trouble themfelves about their condition after death, nor 

 ever think or fpeak of it : And if any queftion be put to them 

 concerning it, they know hot what artfWer to make. 



Yet they have all had heretofore a certain belief of the im- 

 mortality of the Soul, but after a very grofs manner,as may be 

 dedue'd from the Ceremonies of their Interrments, and the 

 flayers they make to the dead, that they would return to 

 life , as we (hall reprefent more at large in the laft Chapter of 

 this Hiftory =, as alfo from this,that the moft polite among them 

 a*e at prefent of that perfwafiori} that after death they {hall 

 go to Heaven, to which place they fay their Anceftors are gone 

 before them % but they never enquire after the way they are 

 to rake to attain that happy abode. Accordingly, when their 

 3oye%^ whoalfo aft the part of Phyfitians, defpair of curing 

 th ir difeafes 9 and that theDevils have foretold by their mouths 

 that there is no further hopes of life, Ihey give them this com- 

 fort, that their Cods will conduct them to Heaven 3 where they 

 (hall live at eafe without any fear of ficknels. 



The belief of the Calecutians as to this Article is worfe than Pirard V 

 that of out Caribbians^ and their tranfmigration is an extrava- Travels fan 

 gantkindof immortality : For they believe that their fouls *..«**7.. 

 at the departure out of their bodies are lodg'd in thofe of wild 

 Oxen, or fome other Dealt. The Braflians are in this point 

 more rational h f° r tne Y conceive that the fouls of the wicked 

 go after death to the Devil, who beats and torments them, but 

 that the fouls of the juft are entertain'd with dancing and good 

 cheer in delightful plains beyond the Mountains : And ^ VeLery 3 c t6 

 pleafent to think that moft of the Savages of America place the 

 fovereign felicity of the other life in dancing. 



The Reiiirreftion of the body is by the Caribbians account- 

 ed a pure foolery j their Theology is too obfeure to receive fo r fl - 

 great an illumination: We may therefore well wonder at a fmall l * r " ^ p c 

 glimpfe of this facred truth in the poor Virginians i fince it is Laet,/-5 '.c.ji 



P p a { 9 ' 



