The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 5: Quebec, 1632-1633
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 5: Quebec, 1632-1633
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
outside, was worn under one arm and over the other, hanging down
to the knees. They were girdled around the body with a cord made
of a dried intestine. Some are entirely dressed. They are like the
Grecian Philosopher who would wear nothing that he had not made. It
would not take a great many years to learn all their crafts. All go
bareheaded, men and women; their hair, which is uniformly black, is
long, greasy, and shiny, and is tied behind, except when they wear
mourning. The women are decently covered; they wear skins fastened
together on their shoulders with cords, these hang from the neck
to the knees. They girdle themselves also with a cord, the rest of
the body, the head, the [19] arms and the legs being uncovered. Yet
there are some who wear sleeves, stockings, and shoes, but in no
other fashion than that which necessity has taught them. Now that
they trade with the French for capes, blankets, cloths, and shirts,
there are many who use them; but their shirts are as white and as
greasy as dishcloths, for they never wash them. Furthermore, they
have good figures, their bodies are well made, their limbs very
well proportioned, and they are not so clumsy as I supposed them to
be. They are fairly intelligent. They do not all talk at once, but
one after the other, listening patiently. A Sagamore, or Captain,
dining in our room one day, wished to say something; and, not
finding an opportunity, because they were all talking at the same
time, [20] at last prayed the company to give him a little time to
talk in his turn, and all alone, as he did.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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