288 TRAVELS THROUGH UPPER CANADA! 
their language, and to pronounce the words 
i 
from the throat, but not so much from the 
upper as the lower part of the throat towards 
the breast. A slight degree of hesitation is 
observable in their speech, and they articulate 
seemingly with difficulty, and in a manner 
somewhat similar to what a person, I should 
suppose, would be apt to do if he had a great 
weight laid on his chest, or had received a 
blow on his breast or back so violent as to 
affect his breath. The women, on the con¬ 
trary, speak with the utmost ease, and the lan¬ 
guage, as pronounced by them, appears as soft 
as the Italian. They have, without exception, 
the most delicate harmonious voices I ever 
heard, and the most pleasing gentle laugh that 
it is possible to conceive. I have oftentimes 
sat amongst a group of them for an hour or 
two together, merely from the pleasure of 
listening to their conversation, on account of 
its wonderful softness and delicacy. 
The Indians, both men and women, speak 
with great deliberation, and never appear to be 
at a loss for words to express their sentiments. 
The native music of the Indians is very 
rude and indifferent, and equally devoid of 
melody and variety. Their famous war song 
is nothing better than an insipid recitative. 
Singing and dancing with them go hand in 
hand; and when a large number of them, col¬ 
lected together, join in the one song, the few 
