14

incapable of ushering out of it, as I could only give a very imperfect Idea of any other place. Respecting Tales, Traditions and Songs, I have only been able to pick up some of the former, I have chosen those I thought to be the best, which you will find inclosed; the translation is literal as far as the Idiom of the languages would permit; but I imagine you will not find them worthy to be exposed in print however improved and corrected. The Songs are a composition of incoherent sounds, generally made in imitation of some wild animal, such as the Bear; Wolverine &c. many are borrowed from other Tribes and all are accompanied with a dance upon occasion: the love songs are upon a similar strain but not so rude, the lamentation song only, upon the death of a relation, mentions the different names of members of the deceased, including the Organs of Speech and not omitting, if a male, the privy parts. I ought perhaps to remark that each word with the Chorus forms a Couplet[.]

I shall with pleasure continue may communication anually so long as it my not become irksome or unworthy of

[14]