180 
RURAL HOURS. 
losing, and the latter gaining by it. The men, when no longer 
warriors and hunters, lose their native character ; the fire of their 
savage energy is extinguished, and the dull and blackened embers 
alone remain. Unaccustomed by habit, prejudice, hereditary in- 
stinct, to labor, they cannot work, and very generally sink into 
worthless, drinking idlers. Many of them are seen in this condi- 
tion in the neighborhood of their own lands. The women, on the 
contrary, have always been accustomed to toil while the warriors 
were idle, and it is much more easy for them to turn from field 
labors to household tasks, than for the men to exchange the ex- 
citement of war and hunting for quiet, regular, agricultural or 
mechanic pursuits. In the savage state, the women appear very 
inferior to the men, but in a half- civilized condition, they have 
much the advantage over the stronger sex. They are rarely 
beautiful, but often very pleasing ; their gentle expression, meek 
and subdued manner, low, musical voices, and mild, dark eyes, ex- 
cite an interest in their favor, while one turns with pain and dis- 
gust from the brutal, stupid, drunken countenances too often seen 
among the men. Many a young girl might be found to-day 
among the half-civilized tribes, whose manner and appearance 
would accord with one's idea of the gentle Pocahontas ; but it is 
rare, indeed, that a man is seen among them who would make a 
Powhattan, a Philip, or an Uncas. And yet, unfavorable as their 
appearance is, there are few even of the most degraded who, 
when aroused, will not use the poetical, figurative speech, and the 
dignified, impressive gesture of their race. The contrast between 
the degraded aspect they bear every day, and these sudden in- 
stinctive flashes, is very striking. Instances are not wanting, 
however, in which men, of purely Indian blood, have con- 
