The Indians have a fine natural genius for oratory, painting, and sculpture: I have a specimen of the latter cut with a knife on a piece of hickory, which is destitute neither of elegance of design, nor neatness of execution. But the most extraordinary trait in the character of these _red men_ is their _continence_. We have every year fourteen or fifteen of their chiefs in this city, to form treaties, and other public business. They are often attended with well-made young men in the prime of life, and yet I never heard but of _one_ instance of their engaging in a love-intrigue of _any kind_. They frequently tomahawk and scalp the most beautiful women, who are so unfortunate as to fall into their hands in time of war.--Each warrior cuts the number of scalps he has taken on his war club, and distinguishes the sex by certain marks. Several of these clubs, and other indian trophies taken from famous chiefs in former wars, are deposited in the Philadelphia Museum. On one war club I counted _five_ fatal proofs of the savage who owned the weapon having butchered as many women! But whatever cruelties they practise on their female captives, they are never known to take the slightest liberty with them _bordering on indecency_. Mary Rowlandson, a fanatic, who was captured in 1765, has the following passage in her narrative: "I have been in the midst of these roaring lions, and savage bears, that neither fear God, man, nor devil, by day and night, _alone_, and in company, _sleeping all sorts together_, and yet not one of them offered me the least abuse of unchastity, in word or action!" Charlevoix, in his account of the Canadian Indians, says, there is no example of their having taken the least liberty with any of the french women, even when their prisoners. In short, all accounts allow them this extraordinary male virtue, but differ whether it proceeds from education, or what the french call temperament. But as they do not look upon chastity as a necessary requisite in the character of the squaws _before_ marriage, these ladies are said by the white traders to be _less eminent_ for this virtue than their warriors. The works of F---- being little known in England, I send you some specimens of his writing on _indian_ subjects; and, however uncouth, his language may appear, you may rely on the truth and accuracy of his descriptions:-- THE INDIAN STUDENT; or, FORCE OF NATURE. RURA MIHI ET RIGUI PLACEANT IN VALLIBUS AMNES; ILUMINA AMEM, SYLVASQUE INGLORIUS. Virg. Georg. 2d. v. 483. * * * * * From Susquehanna's utmost springs, Where savage tribes pursue their game, His blanket tied with yellow strings, A shepherd of the forest came. Not long before, a wandering priest Express'd his wish with visage sad-- 'Ah, why,' he cry'd, 'in Satan's waste, 'Ah, why detain so fine a lad?