diffused nation of these parts. They are to be met with from the confines of lower 'Canada even to the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
This is also the nation of medicine, par excellence: --- for all pretend to be jugglers, and sell their medicines and quackery at a high price. In consequence of this attachment to their old superstitious practices, and the great profits thetiderive from them, the seeds of the divine word have hitherto fallen upon an unprofitable soil. An adroit impostor who has been baptized, and who is, moreover, a great medicine man among them, has contributed not a little to keep his nation in an obstinate ignorance, which makes them prefer the shades of paganism to the beneficial light of the gospel. Falling one day into a species of lethargy, it was thought that he had expired -- but recovering after a short time, he assembled his band and told them the following story
" Immediately after my death I repaired to the heaven of the white men, or Christians, where the Great Spirit and Jesus Christ dwell, but they refused to admit me on account of my red skin. I then went to the country where the souls of my ancestors are, and there, too, I was refused admit tance on account of my baptism. I am, therefore, come back to this earth, to renounce the promises I made in baptism and resume my medicine bag, hoping to expiate my former error by my sincere attachment to jugglery, and thus render myself once more worthy of the beautiful and spacious plains of that happy and delightful abode, where reigns everlasting spring, and numberless flocks and herds afford an abundant and everlasting subsistence to all the inhabitants of the Indian Elysium."
This extravagant report, which has been circul te( throughout the whole tribe and among the neighl)orirnol people, has greatly contributed to attach them to their (-)l,l customs and superstitions - and make them turn a (leaf ear e instructions of their worthy missionary.
Reverend Mr. Belcourt has, notwithstanding, suc-