ANCIENT INHABITANTS, 3cc,— BOOK IE X& 
Amongst their virtues, we may enumerate honesty and punc¬ 
tuality in their dealings, hospitality to strangers, friendship and 
affection amongst relatives and neighbours. Instances of aban¬ 
donment on the female side, or of seduction, are extremely rare. 
The women make faithful and affectionate wives, but will not be 
considered secondary personages in the matrimonial association. 
The advice of the wife is taken on all important, as well as on 
less weighty concerns, and she generally decides. In opposi¬ 
tion to these virtues, it must be said, that they are devoid of 
public spirit, of enterprise or ingenuity, and are indolent and 
uninformed. 
They are catholics, but, very far from being bigoted or su¬ 
perstitious, as some travellers have said. They were perhaps' 
more strict observers, formerly, of the rules and discipline 
of their church, and of the different holy days in the calendar. 
Their fetes , or celebration of these days, were considered, as. 
the most interesting occasions; the old and young engaged in 
them with the greatest delight, and they doubtless contribut¬ 
ed to their happiness. Of late, this attention to the ceremonies 
of their religion is considerably relaxed, since other objects of 
pursuit and interest have been opened to their view. The ca¬ 
tholic worship is the only one yet known in the territory, except: 
in private families, and in a few instances of itinerant preachers. . 
There was scarcely any distinction of classes in the society.* 
The wealthy or more intelligent, would of course be considered' 
as more important personages, but there was no difference clear- 1 , 
ly marked. They all associated, dressed alike, and frequented 
the same ball room. They were in fact nearly all connected by 
the ties of affinity or consanguinity : and so extensive is it, that 
I have seen the carnival, from the death of a common relation, 
pass by cheerless and unheeded. The number of persons ex¬ 
cluded was exceedingly small What an inducement to com¬ 
port ones self with propriety and circumspection! The same in¬ 
terest at stake, the same sentiments that in other countries in¬ 
fluence the first classes of society, were here felt by all its mem- 5 
bers. Perhaps as many from unmerited praise have been form¬ 
ed into valuable characters, as others from having been unjust- 
Ty despised have become truly despicable. 
