BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY


 The most detailed account is that of Du Pratz, largely based, how-
ever, on the authority of another eyewitness:
 If a boy and a girl suit each other and they desire to marry, it is neither
the fathers nor the parents, still less the mothers or the relations, who con-
cern themselves in this matter. It is only the chiefs of the two families, who
are ordinarily great-grandfathers and sometimes more. These two old men
have an interview, in which, after the demand for the girl has been made on
the part of the boy, they examine whether there is any relationship between
the two parties who wish to marry and in what degree, for within the third
degree, inclusive, they never marry. This interview of the old men assumes
that the alliance suits them, and that already it has been agreed to by the
fathers, grandfathers, and others as far up as the family chiefs, for if ony one of
them disapproves of it it is never concluded. Among these nations which we
treat as savages the laws never suffer interpretation so as to authorize children
to bring into the family of their fathers women who would not at all suit
them and give them a posterity which would displease them from the moment
of birth. In the same way the avarice, the ambition, and many other passions
so well known in the ancient world never title in the fathers the natural feel-
ing which makes us desire that our blood be perpetuated, and does not lead
them to antagonize their children beyond all reason, still less to force their
inclinations. By an amllirable agreement and one well worthy of being imi-
tated, only those who love each other are married, and those who love each
other are married only when their parents agree.
 Boys rarely marry before having reached the age of 25. Before that age
 they are regarded as still too feeble, without understanding, and without
 experience.
 When the old men have agreed upon the marriage and have appointed the
 day, the necessary preparations to celebrate are made. The men go to hunt.
 The women prepare the maize and furnish the boy's cabin as well as their
 skill and their means permit. The day agreed upon having come, the old man
 on the side of the girl comes out of his cabin and conducts the girl to that of
 the boy. The entire family follows in order and silently, and those who laugh
 do so only moderately.
 He (the old man) finds outside of the latter cabin all the relatives of the boy.
 who receive him and salute him with their common cries of joy, hou hou many
 times repeated. IIe enters. The old man on the side of the suitor says, Caban-
 anctd, It is you," to which he replies, Maintttc, Yes." The first old man again
 begins to speak and. indicating with a joyful air the beds which serve as seats,
 says to him, Pctcli, Sit down." These people, as may be seen, are not fond of
 giving compliments, and they do not treat each other better at home than they
 do us when we go to see them. Such is their silent character. They think
 they would lose time over things entirely useless if they spoke more than is
 absolutely necessary. I will add that it is a very wise custom among them to
 make the one who comes rest before entering upon the conversation. The time
 which they give to breathe is perhaps a half of a quarter of an hour.
 After this period of repose the old men rise, and making the intended bride
 and groom advance between them, ask them if they are satisfied to take each
 other and if they love each other. They make them see that they ought not
 to marry if they have not a sincere desire to live well together, that no one
 compels them to unite, and that, having taken each other by their own choice,
 they will be rejected from the family if they do not live together in peace.
 After this injunction the own father of the boy brings the present which his
 son is going to make and places it in his hands. The own father of the intended


[BULL. 43