Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-10-04

taken III tiey nave no iIoii
the whitesther dresses and ornaments, Remarkably
beautifully being manufactured by themselves. Each
Of these beds is completely enclosed, and forms pri
vate apartment.
These Indians have one very beautiful and very pee
teal cusicmthe barying Of heir dead. They
Inferred in the dark earth mouder away and be for
gotten At distance outside of the village. sca
folding erected for each body of the departed This
is wrapt its richest dresses with its gseat medicine
its breast aud rich cloths and buffalo SKINS which
painted the braves M the dead be srave battles
When the body decays the skull carefully preserved
large circles OF these eblems Of mortality gathered
in circular form, and here the living commune
with the deadthey take food and offer tthey talk as
if conversng with them for hours and hours together
and the lndian women bring their work and sit down by
the side of the skulls, and cemmane with those whom
they have loved and lost Thus do the dead not alto
ge,her pass away from among them.
The great medicine Of which have spoken, is that
without which Indian live save in the deepest
disgrace and infamy is thus obtained when an In
dian youth approaches manhood he is sent out into the
prairie there he continues sometimes three four, five,
six days fasting He throws himself upon the earth,
and calls upon the great spirit to assist him. lie cent?
nues here until he dreams of insect reptile,
nlal This he hunts for till he obtains, and stuing the
skin carries 1t with him from that hour to his grave
he loses it in battle otherwise he is despised by his
fellows and considered lost the protection OF the
great spirit
The most remarkable of all the traditions of the In
dams, is that induces religious iestlvy OF the
unparalleled horror if except those which were
perpetrated in India to the God Juggernaut is
called the festival of the sinking of the waters Upon
this occasion the houses are decorated with willow
branches in full bloom Mr.. Catlin asked wherefore !
Because was the reply the willow that the bird brought
was in that state Mr. Catlin excited at this
tradition of the Deluge this far off place where no
white could have induced the belief :" What
Bird he asked An Indian took him outside the build
ing and pointed to dove
This is remarkable We regret that the length of the
detail will permit describe the religious fes-
vties ofthe occasion and the voluntary orares almost
incredible, which the young men endure and seek, in
order be considered braves-for it is upon such and
such only that the warriors and do depend in battle
In conclusion Mr. Catn dressed himself in the attire
of Crow Indian. There is modern civilized raj
ment that we have ever SEEN that compare with it
for beauty.
The lectures are still given. We advise all who
feel any interest in Indian life 20 Mr.. Catlins
lectures.
BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN.-The Board OF
Assistant Aldermen met last evening. The Board con-
Cured with the Board Of Aldermen, in presenting pc
tion Congress- for the passage Of law 10 prevent
the emigration Of foreign paupers into this country.
Resolutions were referred TO provide house in nth
street. for Hose Company No IL Also to appropriate
further of $4,000, for building the Lunatc Asy-
lum on Blackwelrs Island
A resolution, which caused great excitement was
offered by Mr.. Hyde, to consider the expediency and
propriey of enaciing ordinance for the future gu
dance of committees IL the performance of whose duties
it not unfrequently devoves them to open sealed
proposals for materials and labor; and that such ord
nance shall particularly define the duties of the Lamp
and Gas Committee, and say whether they shall have
power opening sealed proposals, duly advertised
give the to the highest instead of the lowest
bidder. 1t was ultimately laid upon tie table.
There was no other business done of greater conse
quence than reports of paving and widening
SrRAps NEws-A German thentre ia omen nj