They wish to stand well with t'le Good spirits j they like exliortations about them. The Ministry of their spiritual affairs is attended to by one they call Kifzifiacka, wliich, I think, is Priest. When any one among them is sick, he visits liim ; sits by him and bawls, roars and cries like one possessed. If a man die, he is laid in the earth without a coHin, witli all his costly garments of skins. Tiiis Pri«;st has no Viouse of his own. He lodges where he pleases, or wiierji he last olficiated ; must not eat any food prepared by a married woman. It must be cooked by a maiden or old v\onian. He never cohabits with them, living like a capucliin. W;:en a child arrives at the age of twelve, tli u tliey can determine whether he shall be a Kilsinac/ca or not. If tis so ruled,

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW-YORK BY THE DUTCH. 29

then lie is elevated to such office. Becoming of age, lie undertakes the exercise of it.

All the Natives pay particular attention to the sun, the moon,

and the stars, as they are of us great interest to them,

Virginian* as to US, liaviug like summer and winter. But Geoobstrvc most. ^ t , i i i ^ p

graphers are aware that tne length and shortness ol the days differ, on account of situation. The first moon following that at tlie end of February is greatly honored by them. They watcli it with great devotion, and as it rises, they compliment it with a festival ; then they collect together from all quarters, and revel in t'leir way, with wild game or fish, and drink clear river Avater to tlieir fill, without being intoxicated. It appears that the year commences then, this moon being a harbinger of the spring.