a
calculation, in the way I have just done, to ascertain their age, it
appeared that one of them was sixty-nine and the other seventy-one; so
that, although probably none of these estimates are quite correct, I
still think that we are at liberty to infer, from various instances of
this kind, that the natives sometimes attain a very advanced age; yet
were these instances of longevity contrasted with the great number of
deaths which take place during the period of infancy, there can be no
doubt whatever that the average duration of life amongst these savage
tribes falls far short of that enjoyed by civilized races. There is
however one species of death unknown to these barbarians and that is
suicide. I believe they have no idea that such a thing as a person's
putting an end to his own life could ever occur: whenever I have
interrogated them on this point they have invariably laughed at me and
treated my question as a joke.

CONDITION OF OLD AGE.

The period of old age must be as happy as any other time in the life of a
savage, if not more so. Aged men are always treated with great respect;
they rarely take a part in any fray; they are privileged to eat certain
kinds of food which the young men may not touch; and they seldom appear
to suffer much from the infirmities and diseases to which the aged are
generally subject amongst us.

CONDITION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

Should a female be possessed of considerable personal attractions the
first years of her life must necessarily be very unhappy. In her early
infancy she is betrothed to some man, even at this period advanced in
years, and by whom, as she approaches the age of puberty, she is watched
with a degree of vigilance and care which increases in proportion to the
disparity of years between them; it is probably from this circumstance
that so many of them are addicted to intrigues, in which, if they are
detected by their husbands, death, or a spear through some portion of the
body is their certain fate; indeed the bare suspicion of infidelity upon
their part is enough to ensure to them the most cruel and brutal
treatment. For these causes during youth they are compelled, whether
pregnant or not, to accompany their husbands in all their excursions, and
are thus subject to violent and continued exercise and fatigue at periods
when repose is indispensable.

But even supposing a woman to give no encouragement to her admirers, many
plots are always laid to carry her off, and in