No. 6

for his friends to come and pay her a nocturnal visit, while the unsuspicious husband is fast asleep. The Chipweans are entirely free from the inquietudes of a long courtship, and unacquainted with languishing and sighing; the young female being wholly regulated in her affections by her parents, who adopt the same maxim practised by Europeans of studying how they may dispose of the Daughters to the best advantage; without any regard to the inclinations of the young women:– for if the son in law be a good hunter he generally supports the family of his wife's relations, should they require it. She is bestowed on him about the age of thirteen or fourteen, and the Young couple generally remain with her relations until the time, she begins to bear children, which is seldom earlier than at fifteen, and leaves off at thirty five. There is no marriage ceremony amongst them, excepting that while the intended husband is out, (often on purpose) the young woman takes possession of the place he occupies in the Lodge, which serves as a sign that all goes well, and from

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