Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-16

namely, at nnon-iay. iii large room, win many
doors and no furniture. And what does the ar =
tnfte, to make assurance dou6i, sure, at the mo ::
ment of EXTREMIST peril for the "iie: Tie "'e'e-
ly shuts the door. The English though they nave
altered this fine comedy under the name OF me
Hypocrite, and improved the catastrophe ha.u We
not helped the incident referred to-. What WIN
be said some two thousand years hence. think
YOU, of our moraIitv-French, English, and Ame-
rican moraity-for this very ihing? We have
swallowed the English version Whole: the Eng
fish have altered every thing but ths-thiS. wh!ch
will be cited hereafter, 10 prove beyond contrauic-
tom either unheard of grossness IN the age .''e
people who endure it; or want OF common sense,
for allowing such improbability to pass upon the
boards of a theatre, year after year, uhreOuheu'
One thing delighted me beyond measure. "nen-
ever the Tartuffe said sharp thing tor the priest
hood. the audience appeared to enjoy 1t as a 'uxu-
ry-the luxury of truth.
These passages were always app'auded-as "ou
sign, thought, for the present generation; par
ticuIary as they were not applaudeu tulnui'uoas'
" nor obstreperousIy, but with hearty ana SIN
cere RELISH like that of grown up men, Tree 10
perceive and free to acknowledge the truth. We
rilv. Verify, the empire Of Priest-craft appears
to have departed for ever from this part ct Eu-
rome. All That We arc afraid of now. IS the con-
trsry extreme sYous srrez, ma fol, Iartuffe
is already sort of rallying cry tor much more
than IFS original purpose, when the multitude De-
tray any fear of the Church, or them that wear
black dresses and long faces, and refuse to mihu
their own business or t. let other peopie h'i"a
theirs IN Y. Courier.
Sacred FIRE of The Miaiaus, by Le,ois Cdss.-
MANY of the peculiar customs which formerly ex.
listed among the Indian tribes are now preserved
only in traditions of these, one OF the most singu-
lar was an eternal fire. All the rites and duties
connected with it, are yet fresh in the recollec-
tions of the Indians; AID it was extingulshed al
ter the French arrived upon the great lakes.
The prevalence Of similar custom among the
natives of the east, from very early period, IS
well known to all who have traced the history ana
progress Of human supersttions. Aud from them
| it found its way TO Greece, and even! daiiy TO
Rome. 1t is not, perhaps, surprising That me
element Of fire should be selected as the object
of worship. by nations ignorant OF the true reh-
zion. and seeking safety IN that system oil poly
theisni, which declared the manners and morals
of the most polished people Of antiquity: Inc
affections seem to require something visible ana
tangible for their support. And this mysterious
agent was sufficiently powerful i'll Its effects ana
striking in its operation, to appear as direct
emanaton of the Deity. But there was uhi-
formty in the mode of worship, and in the prin-
ciples of its observance, which leaves no doubt
Of the common origin of this belief. The sacred
fame was not only regarded as the object OF We
neration. but its preservation was indlssolubly
connected with the existence of the state. 1t was
the visible emblem of the public safety. guarded
bv chosen ministers. secured by dreadful ImPre-
cations and punishments, and made holy by So
lemn and imposing ritual. The condolences
which will be found between these Obseryances
and opinions, and the ceremonies and belief OF
the Indians. indicate with sufficient certainty,
that their notions upon this subject were brought
with them from The eastern hemisphere. and were
derived from the fruitful Persian stock
| have not ascertained the existence OF this
custom among anv of the northwestern tribes, ex-
cept the Chippewas, although have reason to be.
| lieye that the Shawnees were devoted to 1t, and
the Chippewas in fact assert, that they received
their fire from the latter. But there IS such a
similarity and even identity of manners and Gus
toms among all tribes east OF the Mssssppl,that
have but little doubt the same institution would
be every where discovered, If inquiries were pro-
secuted under favorable circumstances. 1t Is
certain that the Natchez were hire worshlPPers,
and without giving full credit to all the marvel
lOuS tales reIateu vi tIlis uiuV " MIC 'N"'
travellers. we may vet be satisfied from the ma
ny concurring accounts, that they were believers
| in the efficacy of eternal fire.
The Chippewa tribe formerly inhabited The re-
rions around lake Superior, ami its council house
and fine seat OF the eternal fire, were west OF kee-
weenau point. Here lived the principal chief,
called the Nuchekewis, who exercised more au-
thorty. and assumed more state. than would be
compatible with the present feelings of the In.
dams The designation was official and not per-
sonal, and the office was hereditary in the direct
male line. He was supported by voluntary con-
tributions, his muskinewa, or provider, making
known. from tune to time. his necessities, by pub
! lie procla.lation. Whatever was required upon
these occasions. whether food or clothing, was
Immediately furnished. Heappears to have been
the chief priest. and could neither engage IN war
nor hunting.
In the village where he resided, and near his
cabin, the eternal fire was kept burning. The
altar was kind of rude oven, over which no
building was erected. But guardians were Sc.
lected, by the Mutchekewls. to take charge OF
the fire. Two of these were men, and two NO