ent agitations, and it was easy to see they represented all
the circumstances of a real combat. They seemed to be engaged in close
or distant battle, and brandished their weapons with so much fury, that
you would have imagined they were going every instant to hew each other
to pieces. Nor would it have been possible, even for the performers
themselves of this terrific dance, to have avoided mutual wounds and
slaughter, had they not been endued with that extraordinary activity
which is peculiar to savage nations. By intervals they increased the
horrid solemnity of the exhibition by uttering yells that would have
pierced a European ear with horror. I have seen rage and fury under
various forms and in different parts of the globe, but I must confess
that everything I have seen elsewhere is feeble and contemptible, when
compared with this day's spectacle. When the whole was finished, they
entertained us at a public festival in their cabins, and, when we
departed, dismissed us with these expressive wishes; they prayed that
the Great Spirit would favour us with a prosperous voyage; that he would
give us an unclouded sky and smooth waters by day, and that we might lie
down at night on a beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted sleep and
pleasant dreams; and that we might find continual protection under the
great pipe of peace. I have been thus particular (said the Highlander)
in describing the circumstances of this embassy, because you have not
disdained to hear the story of my adventures; and I thought that this
description of a people so totally unlike all you have been accustomed
to in Europe might not prove entirely uninteresting."

"We are much obliged to you," said Mr Barlow, "for all these curious
particulars, which are perfectly conformable to all I have heard and
read upon the subject. Nor can I consider, without a certain degree of
admiration, the savage grandeur of man in his most simple state. The
passion for revenge, which marks the character of all uncivilised
nations, is certainly to be condemned. But it is one of the constant
prejudices of their education; and many of those that call themselves
refined, have more to blush at in that respect than they are aware of.
Few, I am afraid, even in the most refined state of society, have
arrived at that sublime generosity which is able to forgive the injuries
of his fellow-creatures, when it has the power to repay them, and I see
many around me that are disgraced by the vi