NORTH AMERICA, 
567 
with a handle near three feet in length, the hoop 
and handle of wood, and the netting of thongs of 
raw hide, or tendons of an animal. 
The foot ball is likewife a favourite, manly di~ 
verlion with them. Feafting and dancing in the 
fquare at evening, ends all their games. 
They have befides, feafts or festivals almoil for 
every month in the year, which are chiefly dedi- 
cated to hunting and agriculture. 
The bulk, or feaft of firft fruits, is their principal 
feftival; this feems to end die laft, and begin the 
new year. 
It commences in Auguft, when their new crops 
of corn are arrived to perfedt maturity : and every 
town celebrates the bulk feparately, when their own 
harveil is ready. 
If they have any religious rite or ceremony, this 
feftival is its moft folemn celebration. 
When a town celebrates the bulk, having pre~ 
vioufly provided themfelves with new cloaths, new 
pots, pans, and other houfehold utenfils and furni- 
ture, they colled! all their worn-out cloaths and 
other defpicable things, fweep and cleanfe their 
houfes, fquares, and the whole town, of their filth, 
which with all the remaining grain and other old 
provifions, they caft together into one common 
heap, and confume it with fire. After having 
taken medicine, and failed for three days, all the 
fire in the town is extinguished. During this fail: 
W O' 
they abftain from the gratification of every appetite 
and paftion whatever. A general amnefty is pro- 
claimed, all malefactors may return to their town, 
and they are abfolved from their crimes, which are 
Ijgw forgotten, and they reftpred to favour. 
On 
