NORTH-WEST CONTINENT OF AMERICA. 149

tations at the graves of their departed relatives for a long fucceffion of nes
years. They appear, in common with all the Indian tribes, to be Very. "oven
fond of their children, but they are as carelefs in their mode of fwadling

them in their infant flate, as they are of their own drefs: the child ds

laid down on a board, of about two feet long, covered with a bed of

mofs, to which it is faftened by bandages, the mofs being changed as

often as the occafion requires. The chief of the nation had no lefs than

nine wives, and children in proportion.

_ When traders firft appeared among thefe people, the Canadians were
treated with the utmoft hofpitality and attention; but they have, by
their fubfequent conduét, taught the natives to withdraw that refpeét
from them, and fometimes to treat them with indignity. They differ
very much from the Chepewyans and Knifteneaux, in the abhorrence
they profefs of any carnal communication between their women and the
white people. They carry their love of gaming to excefs; they will
purfue it for a fucceffion of days and nights, and no apprehenfion of
ruin, nor influence of domeftic affection, will reftrain them from the
indulgence of it. They are a quick, lively, aétive people, with a keen,
penetrating, dark eye; and though they are very fufceptible of anger,

are as eafily appeafed. The males eradicate their beards, and the females

their hair in every part, except their heads, where it is {trong and black,
and, without a curl. There are many old men among them, but they are
in general ignorant of the fpace in which they have been inhabitants of

the earth, though one of them told me that he recolleéted fixty winters.

_~ An Indian in fome meafure explained his age to me, by relating that
he