The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-11

cover ther bods with the fus OF martins CASTOR, &c
certain fruit eviscera,ed and dried In the sun. and
the shell painted with devices in different coioIs'
They have mo- tables seats In their houses In saA
ing their meals mat is laid on the floor, arouna
which they place themselves Inc 1000 ns eu
small pieces and each has a spicket OF bone wnion
be sticks IN piece, and it IL taken up 90 dexter
ou-ly that seldom anything falls on ms earmen..
Their most common diet IL maize, peas, Deans, ana
other legumes. They seldom eat the flesh OF birds
or ouadrupeds the nse Of which they have learned
from Europeans. BEFORE their acquaintance Win
them they never made use OF II; IL tney hunted It
Was only Tor diversion or TO clear the country Of
Wild animals.
Tbourh the vine grows among them, they make
NO vine Their ordinary drink IL pure water (; but
81 their festivals they use kind Of beer pleasant to
The taste and noarishing, also drink made Of honey,
which d found sbundantly In the rocks and hollows
OF tres: hkewise beverage called cassine, which
has medicinal quality, and with which Some mys-
terry is connected when used at their religious fes-
tivas.
The ApAlachians are remarkable for their indus
try. They abhor idicnes ~ the greatest calamity
TO their country. The labor they bestow in cult
waiting their fields y so productive that they have
always not only sufficient for their own use, but to
assist the inhabitants Of the mountains when they
are In want
Their manner Of working their fields is a remarka-
BILE popularity In this nation. ALI the land in the
property except his house and the garden attached
TO H. Their lands are cultivated by all, together.
When the season OF planting or harvesting arrives,
the chief and other officers OF every town and
village conduct all the male inhabitants of suitable
age and firm health To the field to be worked, to
which they proceed in easy and cheerful manner,
as if going TO some recreation They are arranged
in ranks and march as In order OK battle having
their bows and quiver full of in their hands,
to protect them while at work from the sudden
attack Of any Of the wild tribes around
them. From time TO time the officers sup
ply them with some beverage, while theT
wives bring them provisions Of q better kind than
they ordinarily use. When 1t s the period of har-
vest the product of the field is carried TO the town
or village and placed in public granary. Twice in
each month o. the new and tali moon those 10 wnom
lies giving 70 each family. according to the number
of persons in it, sufficient for their support until the
next time Of distribution. After planting or har-
yestng they are all constantly employed in various
occupations. with not an individual idle, in clearing
ground for garden, planting fruit trees building
cabin repairing some injury to their towns, making
their different dresses, preparing their warlke
weapons, and hunting and fishing. They have
the skill. as already observed, to make in neat
and ingenious manner of the skins of wild animals
garments carpets and coverets for their BEDS also
tapestry of feather work, at which they assduously
employ themselves. The females are not less INDUS
trious. After their culinary labors are over, they
are continually engaged in spinning aud weaving
cotton and WOOL Of which they make different kinds
of cloths for dresses and other uses.
Their traffic is in general by exchange OF COM
modties But they also As money certain black
and white seeds the former having the value OF twen-
ty of the latter. Those near the sea for the same
purpose break off the ends OF certain shells highly
valued by them and work them into the form OF
money current among Europeans. They traffic also
with pieces Of crystal amber, red stones brought
down by the torrents from the mountains, shaping
them into different forms to give them separate
value.
There is perfect harmony among the members Of
the same family. patriarch, he may be termed,
has under his roof all his living descendants-his
children their children and even to the fourth gene
ration--the number sometimes amounting to one
hundred.
several musical instruments. There Is scarce one
who is not able to play on the ageoiet or Join in
are played together and make a. pleasing con-
cord. Their voice is soft and flexible, and there
are some youths among them who fashion it SO as
as 10 he able to draw them from the woods. They
are also fond of dancing, leaping and making a va
riety of motions. They formerly celebrated solemn
dances at the end Of every harvest; but az present
tains and heads of families fixing the time that Is
most agreeable TO them.
They are of a kind and amiable disposition. Euro
peaps who visit them, from whom they have neverre,
hospitality But they are distrustfai, liked to their
opinions easily excited to anger and ready avenge
themselves on all who give them offence.
They docile and easily instructed. There are
some who have acquired with wonderful facility
from Europeans the knowledge OF most OF the me-
chanical arts and even learned to read and write.
Each of the six provinces OF Apalachla has par
ticuar dialect different from others; pas the innaoi
Benarim. and the capital Meletot, In n, which may
be called the court language. The principal officers,
heads of families and all who, better instructed,
aspire to places IN tne pubic ne US, Thn,s
expressions are exact and the sentences rather con-
else. The language Is rich IN metaphors, which
greatly enlivens their discourse. They speak with
animation, while, at the same time. their words How
smoothly and with agreeable cadence NJ the close.
MARRIAor.
They always marry among relatives. as was the
practice among the Jews. II any one departs from
this rule he incurs the contempt OF all his kin
dred Public disgrace also attends him, and the
children born Of such marriages are incapable OF be-
coming chiefs captains, being considered Is lie.
gftimate. Marriages are not made by the choice OF
the parties themselves, but by the parents. wife
for the youth being selected by his father and a
husband for the female by hers. But, though the
children are not consulted they have such respect
for their parents that they willingly abide by their
choice. Polygamy exists among them. Sons may
take as many wives "a they please, but 1t Is only
the first one-that given by their parenis-who IS
considered legitimate one.
PoLrrY.
The Apalachians are governed by king, called
Paracoussie, who resides in Meletot, the capital
over each province is q sub-Paracoussie, and over
every town a governor, appointed by the king. and
in each village q chief, who represents the go
vernon.
The chiefs Of villages adjust differences between
families twice month, at the first quarter and the
full OF the moon. In matters Of great importance
there Is an appeal from them 20 the governor of the
town, and from him TO the PREREQUISITE OF the
province, whose decision determines the matter
without any reference 10 the King. II disputes
occur between Paracousses Of different provinces or
governors of towns, or between governor and the
nhabitants of his town the matter Is referred 10 the
king. who, with his council makes q decision.
when he travels he Is accompanied by the council;
and at whatever place he may be, the difference Is
there brought before him.
arson. also sentnels found sleeping on thee posts
were punished with death, which was inflicted by
tying them TO stake and piercing them with arrows
- faiI;ns then, With blow of the war club For theft