ANCIENT INHABITANTS, Sec.—BOOK II. 
& 
though possessed of numerous herds, they were not even ac¬ 
quainted with the use of the churn, but made their butter by- 
beating the cream in a bowl, or shaking it in a bottle. 
Their amusements, were cards, billiards, and dances: this 
last of course the favorite. The dances, were cotillions, reels* 
and sometimes the minuet. During the carnival, the balls fol¬ 
low in rapid succession;. They have a variety of pleasing cus¬ 
toms, connected with this amusement. Children have also their 
balls, and are taught a decorum and propriety of behavior, 
which is preserved through life. They have a certain ease and 
freedom of address, and are taught the secret of real politeness^ 
self-denial; but which by the apes of French manners, is mista¬ 
ken for an affected grimace of complaisant regard, and a profu¬ 
sion of bows, scrapes and professions. 
Their language, every thing considered, is more pure than 
might be expected; their manner of lengthening the sound of 
. words, although languid, and without the animation which the 
French generally possess, is by no means disagreeable. They 
have some new words, and others are in use, which in France 
have become obsolete, 
In their persons, they are weli formed, of an agreeable plea¬ 
sant countenance; indicating cheerfulness and serenity. Their 
dress was formerly extremely simple; the men wore a blanket 
eoat, of coarse cloth or coating, with a cape behind, which 
could be drawn over the head; from which circumstance it was 
called a cafiote . They wore a blue handkerchief on their heads: 
but no hats, or shoes, or stockings; moccasins, or the Indian 
sandals, were used by both sexes. The dress of the females was 
likewise simple, and the variations of fashion, few : though they 
were dressed in a much better taste than the other sex. These 
manners will soon cease to exist, but in remembrance and de¬ 
scription: every thing has changed. .The American costume is 
generally introduced, amongst the first families, and amongst the 
young girls and young men universally. I never saw any where 
greater elegance of dress than at the balls of St Louis. We still 
see a few of both sexes in their ancient habiliments; capots, 
moccasins, blue handkerchiefs on the head, a pipe in the mouth, 
and the hair tied up in a long queue. These people exhibit a 
