Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Curious Account Of The Characters, Customs, And Manners, Of The Savages Of Cape Breton.
CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF THE CHARACTERS , CUSTOMS , AND MANNERS , OF THE SAVAGES OF CAPE BRETON .
[ TRANSLATED FROM A FRENCH MANUSCRIPT , WRITTEN IN I 7 . J . O . J
AA / E generally form a judgment of the inclinations of mankind * * from the nature of their pleasures and amusements ; and it is in those moments dedicated to mirth and joj , that Ave pry into the secret of their hearts . Let us therefore begin with the description of an entertainment , which the savages give to one another , in the case of ceremonial visits , either as friends , relations , or allies , or as deputies from one nation to another . There is no doubt but on these
occasions they manifest a kind of ostentation , which , one Avould , imagine , implies some degree of vanity and pride ; but as their pomp is founded in objects immediately connected with the senses , and not in things of imaginary or arbitrary value , they dp not deviate from the principle above established . The person who receives these visits , and intends to . sheAV a
regard to his guests , does not display his rich cupboard or sideboard , a si g ht that rather mortifies the spectator . His aim is not to please the eye of his friend , but to satisfy his desires . The savage therefore has no notion of acquiring esteem by a display of his riches , but by sharing them with his friend . The fruits of a Avhole year ' s chace , that litis cost him an infinite deal of fatigue , he frequently distributes among his friends in one day '; and these distributions are made with far greater joy on the part of the donor than of the
re-. After these presents , which are given with a tone of voice that enhances their value , comes the entertainment . The principal dish consists of the several wild dogs he has killed : for this is with them a dish of ceremony . jn the middle of the cottage , belonging to the person who gives the entertainment , a large copper is set , in Avhich the victuals are
dressed . The guests bring- with them , each man , a large bason made or the bark of a tree , -which bason they call an Ouragau . Then they carve the meat , and the portions being equally divided , they add " another lesser ouragau , filled Avitlr sea Avolf ' s oil . Being all served in this maimer , they eat their bit of dog , clipping it into the oil . But do not imagine that they eat in the French manner , that is , by stunning one with eternal clack ; no , they sit in profound silence . After the } ' have eat sufucic-tuiy , and drunk what oil is left , and wined their hands with their hair , which is their towel , they
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Curious Account Of The Characters, Customs, And Manners, Of The Savages Of Cape Breton.
CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF THE CHARACTERS , CUSTOMS , AND MANNERS , OF THE SAVAGES OF CAPE BRETON .
[ TRANSLATED FROM A FRENCH MANUSCRIPT , WRITTEN IN I 7 . J . O . J
AA / E generally form a judgment of the inclinations of mankind * * from the nature of their pleasures and amusements ; and it is in those moments dedicated to mirth and joj , that Ave pry into the secret of their hearts . Let us therefore begin with the description of an entertainment , which the savages give to one another , in the case of ceremonial visits , either as friends , relations , or allies , or as deputies from one nation to another . There is no doubt but on these
occasions they manifest a kind of ostentation , which , one Avould , imagine , implies some degree of vanity and pride ; but as their pomp is founded in objects immediately connected with the senses , and not in things of imaginary or arbitrary value , they dp not deviate from the principle above established . The person who receives these visits , and intends to . sheAV a
regard to his guests , does not display his rich cupboard or sideboard , a si g ht that rather mortifies the spectator . His aim is not to please the eye of his friend , but to satisfy his desires . The savage therefore has no notion of acquiring esteem by a display of his riches , but by sharing them with his friend . The fruits of a Avhole year ' s chace , that litis cost him an infinite deal of fatigue , he frequently distributes among his friends in one day '; and these distributions are made with far greater joy on the part of the donor than of the
re-. After these presents , which are given with a tone of voice that enhances their value , comes the entertainment . The principal dish consists of the several wild dogs he has killed : for this is with them a dish of ceremony . jn the middle of the cottage , belonging to the person who gives the entertainment , a large copper is set , in Avhich the victuals are
dressed . The guests bring- with them , each man , a large bason made or the bark of a tree , -which bason they call an Ouragau . Then they carve the meat , and the portions being equally divided , they add " another lesser ouragau , filled Avitlr sea Avolf ' s oil . Being all served in this maimer , they eat their bit of dog , clipping it into the oil . But do not imagine that they eat in the French manner , that is , by stunning one with eternal clack ; no , they sit in profound silence . After the } ' have eat sufucic-tuiy , and drunk what oil is left , and wined their hands with their hair , which is their towel , they