A Key Into The Language Of America - free ebook by Roger Williams

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A Key Into The Language Of America

Roger Williams

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78 chapters

PREFACE.

PREFACE.

In presenting to the public the first volume of the Collections of the Rhode-Island Historical Society, some account of the rise and progress of the Society may not be deemed inappropriate. It may vindicate the society from the charge of remissness in performing the duties it has assumed, and at the same time, remove some of the prejudices which it has had to encounter. There have not been wanting, at any time, individuals who have been anxious that the history of this State, and the deeds and s

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CHARTER

CHARTER

OF THE RHODE-ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Whereas Jeremiah Lippitt, William Aplin, Charles Norris Tibbitts, Walter R. Danforth, William R. Staples, Richard W. Greene, John Brown Francis, William G. Goddard, Charles F. Tillinghast, Richard J. Arnold, Charles Jackson, and William E. Richmond, have petitioned this General Assembly to incorporate them into a society, by the name of the Rhode-Island Historical Society: Therefore, Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, and by the authority th

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CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION.

Article 1. The Rhode-Island Historical Society shall consist of resident and honorary members, the former of whom shall be resident in the State of Rhode-Island. Art. 2. The annual meeting of the society shall be holden at Providence on the 19th day of July, in every year: And provided , That when that day shall fall on a Sunday, the meeting shall be holden on the Tuesday following: other meetings of the society shall be called at any other time by the President, or other senior officer in the s

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OFFICERS

OFFICERS

OF THE RHODE-ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ELECTED JULY 19, 1826. His Excellency James Fenner , Esq. President. Henry Bull , Esq. 1st. Vice-Pres. Hon. Theodore Foster , Esq. 2d Vice Pres. William R. Staples , Esq. Sec’ry. John Howland , Esq. Treasurer. Albert G. Greene , Esq. Cabinet Keeper of the Northern District. Stephen Gould , Cabinet Keeper of the Southern District. Hon. Job Durfee, John B. Francis, John Pitman, Richard W. Greene, Philip Crapo, William E. Richmond, Christopher E. Robbins, Nat

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A KEY INTO THE LANGUAGE OF AMERICA,

A KEY INTO THE LANGUAGE OF AMERICA,

OR AN HELP TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE NATIVES IN THAT PART OF AMERICA CALLED New-England; TOGETHER WITH BRIEFE OBSERVATIONS OF THE CUSTOMES, MANNERS, AND WORSHIPS, &amp;c. OF THE AFORESAID NATIVES, IN PEACE AND WARRE, IN LIFE AND DEATH. On all which are added , SPIRITUALL OBSERVATIONS GENERALL AND PARTICULAR, BY THE AUTHOUR, OF CHIEFE AND SPECIALL USE (UPON ALL OCCASIONS) TO ALL THE ENGLISH INHABITING THOSE PARTS; YET PLEASANT AND PROFITABLE TO THE VIEW OF ALL MEN. By ROGER WILLIAMS, Of Providen

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TO MY DEARE AND WELBELOVED FRIENDS AND COUNTREYMEN, IN OLD AND NEW ENGLAND.

TO MY DEARE AND WELBELOVED FRIENDS AND COUNTREYMEN, IN OLD AND NEW ENGLAND.

I present you with a Key; I have not heard of the like, yet framed, since it pleased God to bring that mighty continent of America to light: others of my Countreymen, have often and excellently, and lately written of the Countrey (and none that I know beyond the goodnesse and worth of it.) This Key, respects the native language of it, and happily may unlocke some Rarities concerning the natives themselves, not yet discovered. I drew the materialls in a rude lumpe at Sea, as a private helpe to my

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DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE LANGUAGE.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE LANGUAGE.

1. A dictionary or Grammer way I had consideration of, but purposely avoided, as not so accommodate to the benefit of all, as I hope, this forme is. 2. A Dialogue also I had thoughts of, but avoided for brevities sake, and yet (with no small paines) I have so framed every Chapter and the matter of it, as I may call it an implicite Dialogue. 3. It is framed chiefly after the Narrogánset Dialect, because most Spoken in the Countrey, and yet (with attending to the variation of peoples and Dialects)

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AN HELPE TO THE NATIVE LANGUAGE

AN HELPE TO THE NATIVE LANGUAGE

OF THAT PART OF AMERICA CALLED New-England....

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Of Salutation.—Observation.

Of Salutation.—Observation.

The natives are of two sorts (as the English are) some more rude and clownish, who are not so apt to salute, but upon salutation resalute lovingly. Others, and the generall, are sober and grave, and yet cheerfull in a meane, and as ready to begin a salutation as to resalute, which yet the English generally begin, out of desire to civilize them. What cheare Nétop is the general salutation of all English toward them. Nétop is friend. Netompaûog , Friends. They are exceedingly delighted with Saluta

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OBSERVATION.

OBSERVATION.

This word upon speciall Salutations they use, and upon some offence conceived by the Sachim or Prince against any; I have seen the party reverently doe obeysance, by stroking the Prince upon both his sholders, and using this word,...

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OBSERVATION.

OBSERVATION.

In the Narigánset Countrey (which is the chief People in the Land) a man shall come to many townes, some bigger, some lesser, it may be a dozen in 20 miles travell....

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OBSERVATION.

OBSERVATION.

Acawmenóakit , old England, which is as much as from the Land on t’other side : hardly are they brought to believe that that water is three thousand English mile over or thereabouts....

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OBSERVATION.

OBSERVATION.

As commonly a single person hath no house, so after the death of a Husband or Wife, they often break up house, and live here and there a while with Friends to allay their excessive sorrowes....

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OBSERVATION.

OBSERVATION.

Obscure and meane persons amongst them have no names: nullius numeri &amp;c. as the Lord Jesus foretells his followers that their names should be cast out, Luk. 6. 22. as not worthy to be named &amp;c. Againe, because they abhorre to name the dead (Death being the King of Terrours to all naturall men: and though the natives hold the Soule to live ever, yet not holding a Resurrection they die and mourn without Hope.) In that respect I say, if any of their Sáchims or neighbours die who wer

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OBSERV.

OBSERV.

In this respect they are remarkably free and courteous, to invite all strangers in; and if any come to them upon any occasion, they request them to come in, if they come not in of themselves....

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OBSERV.

OBSERV.

I have acknowledged amongst them an heart sensi ble of kindnesses and have reaped kindnesse again from many, seven yeares after , when I myselfe had forgotten &amp;c. Hence the Lord Jesus exhorts his followers to doe good for evill; for otherwise sinners will do good for good, kindnesse for kindnesse. &amp;c. From these courteous Salutations, observe in generall; here is a savour of civility and courtesie even amongst these wild Americans, both amongst themselves and towards strangers. M

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Of Eating and Entertainment.

Of Eating and Entertainment.

which they eate with a little water, hot or cold; I have travelled with neere 200 of them at once, neere 100 miles through the woods, every man carrying a little Basket of this at his back , and sometimes in a hollow Leather Girdle about his middle, sufficient for a man for three or four daies. With this readie provision, and their Bow and Arrowes , are they ready for War , and travell at an houres warning. With a spoonfull of this meale and a spoonfull of water from the Brooke, have I made many

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The observation generall from their eating &c.

The observation generall from their eating &c.

It is a strange truth , that a man shall generally finde more free entertainment and refreshing amongst these Barbarians , then amongst thousands that call themselves Christians. More particular:...

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Concerning Sleepe and Lodging.

Concerning Sleepe and Lodging.

contentedly doe, by a fire under a tree, when sometimes some English have (for want of familiaritie and language, with them) been fearefull to entertaine them. In Summer-time I have knowne them lye abroad often themselves, to make roome for Strangers, English , or others. Howling and shouting is their Alarme; they having no Drums nor Trumpets: but whether an enemie approach, or fire breake out, this Alarme passeth from house to house; yea, commonly, if any English or Dutch come amongst them, the

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From their Sleeping: The Observation generall.

From their Sleeping: The Observation generall.

Sweet rest is not confind to soft Beds, for, not only God gives his beloved sleep on hard lodgings: but also Nature and Custome gives sound sleep to these Americans on the Earth, on a Boord or Mat. Yet how is Europe bound to God for better lodging, &amp;c. More particular:...

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Of their Names.

Of their Names.

Having no Letters nor Arts, ’tis admirable how quick they are in casting up great numbers, with the helpe of graines of Corne, instead of Europes pens or counters....

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From their Numbers, Observation Generall.

From their Numbers, Observation Generall.

Let it be considered, whether Tradition of ancient Forefathers , or Nature hath taught them Europes Arithmaticke . More particular:...

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Of their relations of consanguinitie and affinitie, or, Blood and Marriage.

Of their relations of consanguinitie and affinitie, or, Blood and Marriage.

They hold the band of brother-hood so deare, that when one had committed a murther and fled, they executed his brother; and ’tis common for a brother to pay the debt of a brother deceased. Their Virgins are distinguished by a bashful falling downe of their haire over their eyes. There are no beggars amongst them, nor fatherlesse children unprovided for. Their affections , especially to their children, are very strong; so that I have knowne a Father take so grievously the losse of his childe , th

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From their Relations.—Observation generall.

From their Relations.—Observation generall.

In the minds of depraved mankinde, are yet to be founde Natures distinctions , and Natures affections . More particular:...

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Of the Family and Businesse of the House.

Of the Family and Businesse of the House.

Which is a solemne word amongst them; and no man will offer any hinderance to him, who after some absence is going to visit his Family, and useth this word Nicquénum , (confessing the sweetness even of these short temporall homes.) which their women and maids live apart in, foure, five, or six dayes, in the time of their monethly sicknesse, which custome in all parts of the Countrey they strictly observe, and no Male may come into that house. fix, and then the women cover the house with mats, an

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Of their Persons and parts of Body.

Of their Persons and parts of Body.

Obs. Yet some cut their haire round, and some as low and as short as the sober English; yet I never saw any so to forget nature it selfe in such excessive length and monstrous fashion, as to the shame of the English Nation, I now (with grief) see my Countrey-men in England are degenerated unto. Wuttip, The Braine.—Obs. In the braine their opinion is, that the soule (of which we shall speake in the Chapter of Religion) keeps her chiefe seat and residence: For the temper of the braine in quick app

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The generall observation from the parts of the bodie.

The generall observation from the parts of the bodie.

Nature knowes no difference between Europe and Americans in blood, birth, bodies, &amp;c. God having of one blood made all mankind. Acts 17. and all by nature being children of wrath, Ephes. 2. More particularly:...

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Of Discourse and Newes.

Of Discourse and Newes.

Obs: Their desire of, and delight in newes, is great, as the Athenians , and all Men, more or lesse; a stranger that can relate newes in their owne language, they will stile him Manittóo , a God. Obs: Their Manner is upon any tidings to sit round, double or treble or more, as their numbers be; I have seene neere a thousand in a round, where English could not well neere halfe so many have sitten: Every Man hath his pipe of their Tobacco , and a deepe silence they make, and attention given to him

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The generall Observation from their Discourse and Newes.

The generall Observation from their Discourse and Newes.

The whole race of Mankind is generally infected with an itching desire of hearing Newes . More particular:...

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Of the time of the day.

Of the time of the day.

Obs: They are punctuall in measuring their Day by the Sunne, and their Night by the Moon and the Starres, and their lying much abroad in the ayre; and so living in the open fields, occasioneth even the youngest amongst them to be very observant of those heavenly lights. Obs: They are punctuall in their promises of Keeping time; and sometimes have charged mee with a lye for not punctually keeping time, though hindred....

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The general Observation from their time of the Day.

The general Observation from their time of the Day.

The Sunne and Moone, in the observation of all the Sonnes of Men, even the wildest, are the great Directors of the day and night; as it pleased God to appoint in the first Creation. More particular....

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Of the Season of the Yeere.

Of the Season of the Yeere.

Obs: They have thirteen Moneths according to the severall Moones; and they give to each of them significant names: as, Obs: If the yeere proove drie, they have great and solemne meetings from all parts at one high place, to supplicate their Gods, and to beg raine, and they will continue in this worship ten dayes, a fortnight, yea, three weekes, untill raine come....

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Generall Observation from their Seasons of the Yeere.

Generall Observation from their Seasons of the Yeere.

The Sunne, and Moone, and Starres and Seasons of the yeere doe preach a God to all the sonnes of men, that they which know no letters, doe yet read an eternall Power and Godhead in these. More speciall:...

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Of Travell.

Of Travell.

Obs: It is admirable to see, what paths their naked hardned feet have made in the wildernesse in most stony and rockie places. Obs: The wildernesse being so vast, it is a mercy, that for a hire a Man shall never want guides, who will carry provisions, and such as hire them over the Rivers and Brookes, and find out oftentimes hunting houses, or other lodgings at night. Obs: I have heard of many English lost, and have oft been lost my selfe, and my selfe and others have often been found, and succo

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Generall Observations of their Travell.

Generall Observations of their Travell.

As the same Sun shines on the Wildernesse that doth on a Garden! so the same faithfull and all sufficient God, can comfort, feede, and safely guide even through a desolate howling Wildernesse. More particular:...

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Concerning the Heavens and Heavenly Lights.

Concerning the Heavens and Heavenly Lights.

(Obs:) By which they acknowledge the Sun, and adore for a God or divine power. Obs: And so they use the same rule, and words for the course of the Moone in the Night , as they use for the course of the Sun by Day , which wee mentioned in the Chapter of the Houre, or time of the Day concerning the Sunnes rising, course, or Sunne setting. Obs: The Moone so old, which they measure by the setting of it, especially when it shines till Obs: By occasion of their frequent lying in the Fields and Woods,

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Generall Observations of the Heavenly Bodies.

Generall Observations of the Heavenly Bodies.

The Wildest sons of Men heare the preaching of the Heavens, the Sun, Moone, and Starres, yet not seeking after God the Maker are justly condemned, though they never have nor despise other preaching, as the civiliz’d World hath done. More particular:...

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Of the Weather.

Of the Weather.

Obs. It may bee wondred why since New-England is about 12 degrees neerer to the Sun, yet some part of Winter, it is there ordinarily more cold then here in England : the reason is plaine: all Ilands are warmer then maine Lands and Continents, England being an Iland, Englands winds are Sea winds, which are commonly more thick and vapoury, and warmer winds: the Nor-West wind (which occasioneth New-England cold) comes over the cold frozen Land, and over many millions of Loads of Snow: and yet the p

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Observation generall of the Weather.

Observation generall of the Weather.

That judgement which the Lord Jesus pronounced against the Weather-wise (but ignorant of the God of the Weather) will fall most justly upon those Natives, and all Men who are wise in Naturall things, but willingly blind in spirituall....

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Of the Winds.

Of the Winds.

Obs: Some of them account of seven, some eight, or nine; and in truth, they doe upon the matter reckon and observe not onely the foure but the eight Cardinall winds although they come not to the accurate division of the 32: upon the 32 points of the compasse as we doe. Obs: This is the pleasingest, warmest wind in the Climate, most desired of the Indians , making faire weather ordinarily; and therefore they have a tradition , that to the Southwest, which they call Sowwainiù the Gods chiefly dwel

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Generall Observations of the Wind.

Generall Observations of the Wind.

God is wonderfully glorious in bringing the winds out of his Treasure, and riding upon the wings of those winds in the eyes of all the sonnes of men in all Coasts of the world. More particular....

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Of Fowle.

Of Fowle.

Obs. Of this sort there be millions, which are great devourers of the Indian corne as soon as it appeares out of the ground; unto this sort of Birds, especially, may the mysticall Fowles, the Divells be well resembled (and so it pleaseth the Lord Jesus himselfe to observe Matth. 13.) which mysticall Fowle follow the sowing of the Word, and picke it up from loose and carelesse hearers, as these Black-birds follow the materiall seed. Against the Birds the Indians are very carefull, both to set the

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The generall Observation of Fowle.

The generall Observation of Fowle.

How sweetly doe all the severall sorts of Heavens Birds, in all Coasts of the World, preach unto men the prayse of their Makers Wisedome, Power, and Goodnesse, who feedes them and their young ones Summer and Winter with their several sorts of Foode: although they neither sow nor reape, nor gather into Barnes? More particularly:...

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Of the Earth, and the Fruits thereof, &c.

Of the Earth, and the Fruits thereof, &c.

Obs: The Natives are very exact and punctuall in the bounds of their Lands, belonging to this or that Prince or People, (even to a River, Brooke,) &amp;c. And I have knowne them make bargaine and sale amongst themselves for a small piece, or quantity of Ground: notwithstanding a sinfull opinion amongst many that Christians have right to Heathens Lands: but of the delusion of that phrase, I have spoke in a discourse concerning the Indians Conversion. Obs: The Indians have an Art of drying the

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The Observation generall of the Fruits of the Earth.

The Observation generall of the Fruits of the Earth.

God hath not left himselfe without wit in all parts and coasts of the world; the raines and fruitfull seasons, the Earth, Trees, Plants, &amp;c. filling mans heart with food and gladnesse, witnesseth against and condemneth man for his unthankfullnesse and unfruitfullnesse towards his Maker. More particular....

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Of Beasts, &c.

Of Beasts, &c.

Obs: This name the Indians give to tame Beasts, yea, and birds also which they keepe tame about their houses. Obs: This is a beast of wonder; for cutting and drawing of great pieces of trees with his teeth, with which and sticks and earth I have often seen, fair streams and rivers damm’d and stopt up by them: upon these streames thus damm’d up, he builds his house with stories, wherein he sits drie in his chambers, or goes into the water at his pleasure. Obs: The Indians say they have black Foxe

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The generall Observation of the Beasts.

The generall Observation of the Beasts.

The Wildernesse, is a cleere resemblance of the world, where gredie and furious men persecute and devoure the harmlesse and innocent as the wilde beasts pursue and devoure the Hinds and Roes. More particular....

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Of the Sea.

Of the Sea.

Paumpágussit, the Sea-God, or that name which they give that Deitie or Godhead which they conceive to be in the Sea. Obs: Mishoòn, an Indian Boat, or Canow made of a Pine or Oake, or Chesnut-tree: I have seene a Native goe into the woods with his hatchet carrying onely a Basket of Corne with him, and stones to strike fire when he had felled his tree (being a Chesnut) he made him a little House or shed of the bark of it, he puts fire and followes the burning of it with fire, in the midst in many

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Generall Observations of the Sea.

Generall Observations of the Sea.

How unsearchable are the depths of the Wisedome and Power of God in separating from Europe, Asia and Africa such a mightie vast continent as America is? and that for so many ages? as also, by such a Westerne Ocean of about three thousand of English miles breadth in passage over? More particular:...

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Of Fish and Fishing.

Of Fish and Fishing.

The Indians (and the English too) make a daintie dish of the Uppaquontup, or head of this Fish; and well they may, the braines and fat of it being very much, and sweet as marrow. Obs: Divers part of the Countrey abound with this Fish; yet the Natives for the goodnesse and greatnesse of it, much prize it, and will neither furnish the English with so many, nor so cheape, that any great trade is like to be made of it, untill the English themselves are fit to follow the fishing. The Natives venture

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The generall Observation of Fish.

The generall Observation of Fish.

How many thousands of Millions of those under water, sea inhabitants, in all Coasts of the world, preach to the sonnes of men on shore, to adore their glorious Maker, by presenting themselves to Him as themselves (in a manner) present their lives from the wild Ocean, to the very doores of men, their fellow creatures in New-England. More particular....

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Of their Nakednesse and Clothing.

Of their Nakednesse and Clothing.

They have a two-fold nakednesse: First, ordinary and constant, when although they have a Beasts skin, or an English mantle on, yet that covers ordinarily but their hinder parts and all the foreparts from top to toe, (except their secret parts, covered with a little Apron, after the patterne of their and our first Parents) I say all else open and naked. Their male children goe starke naked, and have no Apron untill they come to ten or twelve yeers of age; their Female they, in a modest blush cove

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Generall Observations of their Garments.

Generall Observations of their Garments.

How deep are the purposes and Councells of God? What should bee the reason of this mighty difference of One mans children that all the Sonnes of men on this side the way (in Europe, Asia and Africa,) should have such plenteous clothing for Body, for soule! and the rest of Adams sonnes and Daughters on the other side, or America (some thinke as big as the other three,) should neither have nor desire clothing for their naked Soules, or Bodies. More particular:...

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Of Religion, the Soule, &c.

Of Religion, the Soule, &c.

Obs: He that questions whether God made the World, the Indians will teach him. I must acknowledge I have received in my converse with them, many Confirmations of those two great points, Heb. 11. 6. viz: 1. That God is. 2. That hee is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him. They will generally confesse that God made all: but then in speciall, although they deny not that Englishmans God made English Men, and the Heavens and Earth there! yet their Gods made them, and the Heaven, and the Ea

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The generall Observation of Religion, &c.

The generall Observation of Religion, &c.

The wandring Generations of Adams lost posteritie, having lost the true and living God, their Maker, have created out of the Nothing of their own inventions many false and fained Gods and Creators. More particular....

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Of their Government and Justice.

Of their Government and Justice.

Obs: Their Government is Monarchicall, yet at present the chiefest government in the countrey is divided betweene a younger Sachim, Miantunnnômu, and an elder Sachim, Caunoúnicus, of about fourscore yeeres old, this young Mans uncle; and their agreement in the Government is remarkable. The old Sachim will not be offended at what the young Sachim doth; and the young Sachim will not doe what hee conceives will displease his Uncle. which according to their condition is farre different from the othe

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Observation generall, of their Government.

Observation generall, of their Government.

The wildest of the Sonnes of Men have ever found a necessity, (for preservation of themselves, their Families and Properties) to cast themselves into some Mould or forme of Government. More particular....

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Of Marriage.

Of Marriage.

Obs: Single fornication they count no sin, but after Marriage (which they solemnize by consent of Parents and publique approbation publiquely) then they count it hainous for either of them to be false. Obs: In this case the wronged party may put away or keepe the party offending: commonly, if the woman be false, the offended Husband will be solemnly revenged upon the offender, before many witnesses, by many blowes and wounds, and if it be to Death, yet the guilty resists not, nor is his Death re

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Generall Observation of their Marriage.

Generall Observation of their Marriage.

God hath planted in the Hearts of the Wildest of the sonnes of Men, an High and Honourable esteeme of the Marriage bed, insomuch that they universally submit unto it, and hold the Violation of that Bed, Abominable, and accordingly reape the Fruit thereof in the abundance of posterity. More particular....

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Concerning their Coyne.

Concerning their Coyne.

The Indians are ignorant of Europes Coyne; yet they have given a name to ours, and call it Monèash from the English money. Their owne is of two sorts; one white, which they make of the stem or stocke of the Periwincle, which they call, Meteaûhock, when all the shell is broken off: and of this sort six of their small Beads (which they make with holes to string the bracelets) are currant with the English for a Peny. The second is black, inclining to blew, which is made of the shell of a fish, whic

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Observations generall of their Coyne.

Observations generall of their Coyne.

The sonnes of men having lost their Maker, the true and onely Treasure, dig downe to the bowels of the earth for gold and silver; yea, to the bottome of the sea, for shells of fishes, to make up a Treasure, which can never truly enrich nor satisfie. More particular....

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Of their Buying and Selling.

Of their Buying and Selling.

Obs: Amongst themselves they trade their Corne, skins, Coates, Venison, Fish, &amp;c. and sometimes come ten or twenty in a Company to trade amongst the English. They have some who follow onely making of Bowes, some Arrowes, some Dishes (and the women make all their Earthen Vessells) some follow fishing, some hunting: most on the Sea side make Money, and Store up shells in Summer against Winter whereof to make their money. Obs: They all generally prize a Mantle of English or Dutch Cloth befo

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Generall Observation of Trade.

Generall Observation of Trade.

O the infinite wisedome of the most holy wise God, who hath so advanced Europe, above America, that there is not a sorry Howe, Hatchet, Knife, nor a rag of cloth in all America, but what comes over the dreadfull Atlantick Ocean from Europe: and yet that Europe be not proud, nor America discouraged; what treasures are hid in some parts of America, and in our New English parts, how have foule hands (in smoakie houses) the first handling of those Furres which are after worne upon the hands of Queen

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Of Debts and Trusting.

Of Debts and Trusting.

Obs: They are very desirous to come into debt, but then he that trusts them must sustaine a two fold losse: First, Of his Commoditie. Secondly, Of his Custome, as I have found by deare experience: Some are ingenuous, plaine hearted and honest; but the most never pay unlesse a man follow them to their severall abodes, townes and houses, as I my selfe have been forc’d to doe, which hardship and Travells it hath yet pleased God to sweeten with some experiences and some little gaine of Language. Obs

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Generall Observations of their Debts.

Generall Observations of their Debts.

It is an universal Disease of folly in Men to desire to enter into not onely necessary, but unnecessary and tormenting debts, contrary to the command of the only wise God: Owe nothing to any man, but that you love each other. More particular...

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Of their Hunting, &c.

Of their Hunting, &c.

Wee shall not name over the severall sorts of Beasts which we named in the Chapter of Beasts. The Natives hunt two wayes: First, when they pursue their game (especially Deere, which is the generall and wonderfull plenteous hunting in the Countrey:) I say, they pursue in twentie, fortie, fiftie yea, two or three hundred in a company, (as I have seene) when they drive the woods before them. Secondly. They hunt by Traps of severall sorts, to which purpose after they have observed, in spring time an

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Generall Observation of their Hunting.

Generall Observation of their Hunting.

There is a blessing upon endeavour, even to the wildest Indians; the sluggard rosts not that which he tooke in hunting, but the substance of the diligent (either in earthly or heavenly affaires) is precious. Prov. 25. More particular....

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Of their Gaming, &c.

Of their Gaming, &c.

Their games (like the English) are of two sorts, private and publike; A Game like unto the English Cards, yet, instead of Cards, they play with strong Rushes. Secondly, they have a kinde of Dice which are Plumb stones painted, which they cast in a Tray with a mighty noyse and sweating: Their publique Games are solemnized with the meeting of hundreds; sometimes thousands, and consist of many vanities, none of which I durst ever be present at, that I might not countenance and partake of their foll

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Generall Observations of their Sports.

Generall Observations of their Sports.

This life is a short minute, eternitie followes. On the improvement or disimprovement of his short minute, depends a joyfull or dreadfull eternity; yet (which I tremble to thinke of) how cheape is this invaluable jewell, and how many vaine inventions and foolish pastimes have the sonnes of men in all parts of the world found out, to passe time and post over this short minute of life, untill, like some pleasant River, they have past into mare mortuum , the dead sea of eternall lamentation. More p

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Of their Warre, &c.

Of their Warre, &c.

speake, and which England now wofully, feeles, untill the Lord Jesus chide the winds, and rebuke the raging seas. Jûhetteke, Fight, which is their word of incouragement which they use when they animate each other in warre; for they use their tongues in stead of drummes and trumpets. Obs: This is a common word, not only in warre, but in peace also (their spirits in naked bodies being as high and proud as men more gallant) from which sparkes of the lusts of pride and passion, begin the flame of th

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Generall Observations of their Warres.

Generall Observations of their Warres.

How dreadfull and yet how righteous is it with the most righteous Judge of the whole World, that all the generations of Men being turn’d Enemies against, and fighting against Him who gives them breath and Being, and all things, (whom yet they cannot reach) should stab, kill, burns, murther and devour each other? More particular....

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Of their Paintings.

Of their Paintings.

1. They paint their Garments, &amp;c. 2. The Men paint their Faces in Warre. 3. Both Men and Women for pride, &amp;c. Obs: Wunnàm, their red painting which they most delight in, and is both the Barke of the Pine, as also a red Earth. From this Métewis, is an Indian Towne, a day and a halfes Journey, or lesse (West, from the Massachusetts) called Metewêmesick. Wussuckhósu a painted Coat. Of this and Wussuckwheke (the English Letters,) which comes neerest to their painting, I spake before

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Generall Observations of their Paintings.

Generall Observations of their Paintings.

It hath been the foolish Custome of all barbarous Nations to paint and figure their Faces and Bodies (as it hath been to our shame and griefe, wee may remember it of some of our Fore-Fathers, in this nation:) How much then are we bound to our most holy Maker for so much knowledge of himselfe revealed in so much Civilty and Piety? and how should we also long and endeavour that America may partake of our Mercy. More particular....

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Of Sicknesse.

Of Sicknesse.

Obs: In these cases their Misery appeares, that that they have not (but what sometimes they get from the English) a raisin or currant or any physick, Fruit or Spice, or any Comfort more than their Corne and Water, &amp;c. In which bleeding case, wanting all Meanes of recovery, or present refreshing I have been constrained and beyond my power, to refresh them, and I believe to save many of them from Death, who I am confident perish many millions of them, (in that mighty continent) for want of

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Generall Observation of their Sicknesse.

Generall Observation of their Sicknesse.

It pleaseth the most righteous and yet patient God to warne and Summon, to try and arraigne the universall race of Adams sonnes (commonly) upon Beds of sicknesse before he proceed to execution of Death and Judgment: Blessed those soules which prevent Judgement, Death and Sicknesse too, and before the eivill dayes come, Arraigne, and Judge themselves, and being sick for love to Christ, find him or seek him in his Ordinances below, and get unfained Assurance of Eternall enjoyment of Him when they

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Of Death and Buriall.

Of Death and Buriall.

That is, He hath some dead in his house, (whether wife or child, &amp;c.) for although at the first being sicke, all the Women and Maides blacke their faces with soote and other blackings; yet upon the death of the sicke, the Father, or husband and all his neighbours, the Men also (as the English weare black mourning clothes) weare blacke Faces, and lay on soote very thick, which I have often seen clotted with their teares. This blacking and lamenting they observe in most dolefull manner, di

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The Generall Observation of their Dead.

The Generall Observation of their Dead.

O, how terrible is the looke the speedy and serious thought of Death to all the Sons of Men? Thrice happy those who are dead and risen with the Sonne of God, for they are past from Death to life, and shall not see Death (a heavenly sweet Paradox or Ridle,) as the Son of God hath promised them. More particular: Now, to the most High and most Holy, Immortall, Invisible, and onely Wise God, who alone is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last, who Was, and Is, and is t

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THE TABLE.

THE TABLE.

I have further treated of these Natives of New-England, and that great point of their Conversion in a little additionall Discourse apart from this. I have read over these thirty Chapters of the American Language, to me wholly unknowne, and the Observations, these I conceive inoffensive; and that the Worke may conduce to the happy end intended by the Author. Io. LANGLEY. Printed according to this Licence; and entred into Stationers Hall. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE Except for those changes noted below, al

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