SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 157 



have been interred at the greatest distance from the villages are 

 diligently sought for, and brought to this great rendezvous of 

 carcases. It is not difficult to conceive the horror of this general 

 disinterment. Some appear dry and withered ; others have a 

 sort of parchment upon their bones; some look as if they were 

 baked and smoaked, without any appearance of rottenness ; 

 some are just turning towards the point of putrefaction; whilst 

 others are all swarming with worms, and drowned in corrup- 

 tion. I know not which ought to strike us most, the horror 

 of so shocking a sight, or the tender piety and affection of 

 these poor people towards their departed friends ; for nothing 

 deserves our admiration more, than that eager diligence and 

 attention with which they discharge this melancholy duty of 

 their tenderness ; gathering up carefully even the smallest 

 bones ; handling the carcases, disgustful as they are, with 

 every thing loathsome; cleansing them from the worms, and 

 carrying them upon their shoulders through tiresome journies 

 of several days, without being discouraged by their insupport- 

 able stench, and without suffering any other emotions to arise, 

 than those of regret, for having lost persons who were so dear 

 to them in their lives, and so lamented in their death. 



This strange festival is more or less in use among all the 

 American savages bordering on the gulf of Mexico, on the 

 Missisipi as on the Orinoko, and is probably a remnant of 

 Mexican superstition. A pompous reinterment is given to the 



