USE OF TOBACCO. 
112 
with the pipe. I do not regret the introduction 
of this article, as far as the health of the people is 
concerned. When heated at night, I have known 
them come out of their little huts, and sit naked 
on the dewy grass, to cool themselves ; and then 
retire to bed. again : whereas, now, when they are 
in their most profuse perspirations, they rise, fill 
their pipe, light it, and sometimes smoke it in the 
house ; which gives time for the perspiration to 
subside gradually, and they do not come, reeking 
hot, from a highly-heated hut, into the cold, raw, 
damp air of night : by this means many colds are 
avoided, and much sickness prevented. On this 
ground, then, I do not regret the introduction 
and general use of tobacco, particularly as it has 
not hitherto led to the drinking of spirituous or 
fermented liquors. Drunkenness on the coast is 
practised much more by persons not addicted to 
smoking ; and those who take to drinking usually 
discard the use of tobacco. 
Their list of games is very short: their most 
delightful recreation is talking, and telling won- 
ders ; which exercise occupies most of their idle 
hours, and many of those which are shrouded in 
darkness and ought to be devoted to sleep. Be- 
fore the introduction of the musket, the spear was 
much used as sport, to throw at small birds in 
the woods, or at the ducks on the lakes and rivers. 
Now, the more certain instrument of destruction 
is substituted in its place, and shooting is become 
a very favourite amusement with the young men 
