The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-02-16

human 6esh. The natives of Nootko
Sound, and various other tribes. continue
this horrible custom to hs.pressnt dsy.7
a. The Scythians were said, for Al
certain time, to transform themselves into
wolves, ard again to resume the human
shapes Various. tribes Of the aborigines
disguiseihemsslves in dresses made Of the
skins of wolves aud other wild boasts, and
wear even the head fitted to their own. -
These habits they use in the chase to cir
cumyent the animals Of the feld.'
9. The Tungusi, the most numerous
naiion resident in Liberia, prick their fa-
ces with small punctures, with a needle,
in various shapes then ru. charcoal in
to them, 90 that the marks become indel-
hble. The same custom is still observed
in several parts of America
.. The Tungusi use canoes made of
birtch bark, distended over ribs of wood
and nicely sewed together. The Cana
dian and many other American nations
use no other sort ofboais. The paddles
Of the Tungusi are broad at esca end /;
those in use among many tribes Of the
aborigines are Of the same form.'
10. In burying the dead many ofthe
Indian nations place the corpse at full
length, after preparing it according to
their customs !; others place tin sitting
posture, and lay by it the most valuable
clothing, wampum and other Matters
The Tarars did the same, and both peo-
pie lagree in covering the whole with
earth, sous to form tumulus, barrow, or
carnedd'
II. In respect TO the features ard
form Of the human body, almost every
tribe found along the eastern coast has
some simililude to the Tarta nations, and
still retain the little eye, small noses, high
cheeks, and broad faces
12. The internal Americans, such
as the Five Indian Nations, who are tall
Of body, robust in make, ,fand ofoblong ia
ces, have their similtude among variety
of the Tartars themselves
We are not ignorant that Mr.. Jefferson,
in his Notes on Virginia, and others, have
opposed the idea Of the Asiatic origin Of
the aborigines, from the fact, as they sup
posed, that the multiplicity Of languages,
forming numerous and radically distinc t
dialects, is incompatible with the suppo-
sition. But we think their arguments, so
far from being conclusive, rather confirm,
than invalidate. this conclusion. The
great lapse Of time, necessary for the pro-
duction of such diffusive and radical chan
ges of dialects, is the circumstance main
ly insisted on, as showing most conspicu-
ously the absurdity Of The idea. In an
swer.to this objection DR.. Goldman OBJ
serves, that the limitation of time relates
merely to our own narrow conceptions ol
its duration, and has reference neither to
the Deity nor to the order Of Nature nor
is il rendered necessary by any knowledge
we possess relative to the creation of the
world. Even allowing a most immense
lapse Of ages to have. intervened from the
creation to the peopling Of this continent,
we should rather discover in it proof of
the correctness of our position, than cir
'cvmstance repugnant to the laws of ma
fure.'
An idea Of creation, moro consonant
with enlightened Intelligence, is that
which considers the Eternal as having e
given existence to few laws, or rules OF
action, which, through his omniscience
comprise all subsidiary operations, and by
their influence the whole admra bic sys-
tenn becoming, in due succession develop
ed and perfected-each joined to each in
proper correlation, and all approac hing
his immediate presence by point too inef-
fably distant to be appreciated by finite
comprehension
Such an estimation Of the plan Of divine
providence, or the creative power, would
shame US out Of theories in which we at
tempt to reduce in6nitude to our own
own standard, and mete out the operations
Of the mighty system Of nature by our own
miserable span Of three score years and
ten
We understand saws the Richmond