300 



INDIAN AND OTHER 



which are, as well as the tablets, secured on an arc, or bow 

 of wood. It is touched with two small sticks, in the same way 

 as the psalteries of the Bohemians. The diameters of the ca- 

 labashes, which constantly go on diminishing, render this in- 

 strument susceptible of being modified to the alternations of 

 the diapason, insomuch that the sounds it occasionally pro- 

 duces, do not fail to be agreeable, even to delicate ears. It 

 must, however, be acknowledged, that in music and dancing, 

 as well as in many other relations dependent on talent and 

 taste, the negroes are much more behind the Indians, than are 

 the latter, when compared respedlively with the Spaniards. 



On the demise either of a corporal, or of one of the twenty- 

 four brethren, or of the wife of the one or the other, the indi- 

 viduals composing the tribe to which the deceased belonged, 

 assemble in the quarters set aside for the congregations, and 

 there watch over the body. The funereal preparatives for this 

 office are an irrefragable testimony that the negro, trans- 

 ported from his native soil, does not change his heart as well 

 as his country ; since he maintains among us, and conceals in 

 the sepulchre even, his superstition and his idolatry. How, 

 indeed, can he have an afFe6lion for his new residence, in 

 which he is condemned to lead so unhappy a life ? Can he do 

 otherwise than abhor whatever contributes to cement his 

 chains ? Can he adhere to the faith of those by whom he is 

 oppressed ? This wretched being, who finds himself con- 

 strained to live with the eyes and body in a manngr rivetted to 

 the earth, and who generally dies without having acquired a 

 proficiency in our language; how is this miserable vi6lim to 

 elevate his soul to the contemplation of our sublime mysteries ? 

 Four tallow candles illumine the piece of coarse cloth spread 



over 



