158 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



dead ; and games of all kinds are celebrated on the occasion, 

 in the spirit of those which the ancient Greeks and Romans 

 celebrated upon similar occasions. 



They have no laws, and no magistrates, and the only re- 

 straint upon their conduct is the fear of revenge from the in- 

 dividuals they may injure. The want of laws, and of an uni- 

 form strong coercive power, is not perceived in a narrow so- 

 ciety, where every man has his eye upon his neighbour, and 

 where the whole bent of every thing they do is to strengthen 

 those natural ties by which society is principally cemented. 

 Family love, rare among us, is a national virtue among 

 them, of which all partake. Friendships there are among 

 them, fit to vie with those of fabulous antiquity; and where 

 such friendships are seen to grow, the families concerned con- 

 gratulate themselves as upon an acquisition, that promises to 

 them a mutual strength, and to their nation the greatest 

 honor and advantage. 



When an Indian marries, he is perfectly indifferent about 

 the virginity of his wife ; but after his marriage he expects 

 fidelity to his bed : and so strong is the influence of opinion, 

 that adultery is very uncommon, although it is commanded 

 by no part of their religious tenets. Polygamy is universally 

 allowed, but an Indian is never seen with two young v/ives ; 



