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a humersome size for astonishing observations[.] But whether they are brought to this perfection by the Practice before mentioned or Born with Strong Symptoms of future greatness, I cannot determine unless I should decide freely in favour of the Former[.] Besides this Custom they have that also of Biting, Beating, Taring, Knocking themselves with Axes & Burning their Clothes, and Cutting their Hair at the loss of any of their Friends or relations – some carry their Capers to Such a Pitch of phrenzy as to Kill themselves, by the Blows they receive from their own hands[.] They leave their dead on the Same Spot where they expire without removing them, over Whom they Strew a few leaves in Summer or Snow in Winter with a little Earth[.] [A]bove this they Make a Small Kind of a Hut of large wood well Secured from the Jaws of Animals with the deceased all his things i.e. Instruments, Arms, Cloths &^c &^c is laid on the grave[.]

Religion

I have heard of no mysteries or religious rites existing amongst them[.] They have a confused Idea of the deluge, But the absurd stories and improbable adventures with which it is filled – render it so disgustful that no person would credit one word of the whole, therefore I Shall leave this Ta[l]e to People who are fond of romances[.]

They also allow the existince of a Supreme Being whose invisible jurisprudence upon they positively deny – Being ignorant of any other rulers of the Earth than the nations who inhabit it[.]

The opinion they have of a future State of existence is comprised in these few words, that is when any of them dies they maintain that he resumes life again under the form of a young Child[.]

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