244 THE GREAT DENE RACE.

CHAPTER XVII.
Marriage.

Native Ideals of Female Beauty.

Speaking of the eastern Dénés Petitot has the following: ‘“Jamais ils
ne considérent la beauté en s’épousant, et la bonté d’une femme ne consiste
point pour eux dans la pureté de vie qu’elle aura pu mener avant son mariage.
Qu’elle soit soumise, habiie a travailler et laborieuse, féconde, joufflue et bien
portante, tout le reste importe peu. Un garcon et une fille, si laids soient-ils,
trouveront toujours un conjoint, sils sont capables de travailler et de noutrir
une famille” ?.

These remarks are certainly appropriate. Yet I would take objection to
the initial statement that our aborigines have no consideration for beauty when
they marry. Their considerations in choosing a partner are not of the highest
order; but I cannot help believing that Petitot’s assertion is of too sweeping
a character. I know pertinently that, except in the case of a few unfortunates
who are so circumstanced that they cannot think of a choice, the Dénés do
pay great attention to that particular, while they do not overlook the more
solid qualities enumerated by the learned missionary. But female beauty is
with them of a type entirely at variance with that of our own ideal.

Even Hearne was not unaware of this when he wrote: “Ask a Northern
Indian, what is beauty? He will answer: a broad flat face, small eyes, high
cheek-bones, three or four broad black lines across each cheek, a low fore-
head, a large broad chin, a clumsy hook nose, a tawny hide, and breasts
hanging down to the belt. Those beauties are greatly heightened, or at least
rendered more valuabie, when the possessor is capable of dressing all kinds
of skins, converting them into the different parts of their clothing, and able
to carry eight or ten? stone in summer, or haul a much greater weight in
winter. These, and other similar accomplishments, are all that are sought
after, or expected, of a Northern Indian woman. As to their temper, it is of
little consequence; for the men have a wonderful facility in making the most
stubborn comply with as much alacrity as could possibly be expected from
those of the mildest and most obliging turn of mind; so that the only real
difference is, the one obeys through fear, and the other complies cheerfully
from a willing mind; both knowing that what is commanded must be done’.

Dr. King evidently had this description before his eyes when he made an
imaginary guest at a wedding feast exclaim in laudation of the bride: “Behold,

* Monographie des Déné-Dindjé, p. XXII.
* The stone here meant is fourteen pounds (Hearne).
° Op. cit., pp. 89—90.