COUNTRY MANNERS, &c. 345

The Indians who wander about the colony, are now few in number; probably not more than thirty families are seen on the island. They are part of the remnant of the once numerous Mic-mac tribe ; profess the Roman Catholic religion ; and have a chapel and burying-place, as already observed, on Lennox Island, Richmond Bay.

The inhabitants of the colony, particularly the old farmers, are hospitable, kind, and obliging, and, gene- rally speaking, a moral people. Litigation, which the timber business, and the credit given by the tavern- keepers and small shopkeepers,have produced, and the low price of rum, f01m the sole causes of immorality, and the most baneful evils connected with the island; and it is much and sincerely to be regi etted, that many of the magistiates, and some of the attorneys, have fostered, rather than discouraged, these causes of ini- quity and of any common wretchedness that can be discovered in the colony.

The farmers are employed during winter in attend- ing to their cattle, thrashing out their corn, cutting and haulinghome fire-wood for winter use, and astock of ‘fuel for summer; these occupations, with many other little matters connected with his farm, house, and markets, engage the constant attention of a mana- ging, industrious man. Those, however, who think they will succeed better by attempting more, go into the woods to hew timber for exportation, or neglect their farms to become carpenters in the ship-yards, which has ruined many.

The farmers’ Wives and daughters are generally very