"
After this introduction follow the thanksgiving and encomiums, much in
the same taste as the first haranguer's amongst the guests. This is what
is practised in all the more solemn entertainments, both on the men and
women's side. Nor can you imagine, how great an influence such praises
have over them, derived as they are from the merit of hunting, and how
greatly they contribute to inflame their passion for it. Nor is it
surprising, considering how much almost the whole of their livelihood
depends upon the game of all sorts that is the object of their chace.
They have also a kind of feasts, which may be termed war-feasts, since
they are never held but in time of war, declared, commenced, or
resolved. The forms of these are far different from those of pacific and
friendly entertainments. There is a mixture of devotion and ferocity in
them, which at the same time that it surprises, proves that they
consider war in a very solemn light, and as not to be begun without the
greatest reason and justice; which motives, once established, or, which
is the same thing, appearing to them established, there is nothing they
do not think themselves permitted against their enemy, from whom they,
on the other hand, expect no better quarter than they themselves give.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31