cbuM wefldèvise.; We Séé, what it is somewhat
difficult as an inquiry of art otherwise to reach,
that they also brought over à ; species of paste-
mosaic, or curious oval, and elongated beads,
made of a kind of enamel or paste, skilfully
arranged in layem of various colors, ' which,
■ '.y^wii^at- their pöïeÉ/fié§tó§eht©^^
other:figures. Thi^^were highiy^pl^d by fhe
natives, (ignorant as they were-of the' manner
Cf making them,) and Were worn instead of* the
native amulets. In place of theif carved pipes
of steatite, or clay pipes ornamented with the
heads of birds, mentor animals, they, supplied
them with a somewhat corresponding h’iiavy,
plain, or fluted pipe-bowl;> which was designed,
like* the native article, to receive a large wooden
stem, such as we see among the-remote interior
•tribes at the present day. Theqirigling ornaments
of native copper, or deer hoofs,v were, replaced
from European workshops, by the article
of brass called hawksj>ells, an article Which,
like that of wampum, ^till retains its place in
the invofces of the Indian trade.
But by far the most attractive class of fabrics
which the commerce of Europe supplied in exchange
for their rich furs and peltries/whs arm-
bands, Wrist-bands, ear-rings, gorgets, and other
ornaments, both for the person dnd dress,’ of
silver. This metal was esteemed, as it* is at this
day, above all others. Its color and purity led
, them to regard it as preeminently r/|é noble
metal, and its introduction at once superseded
the cherished nabikodgun antique, and other
forms of medals and gorgets made from compact
sea-shells. '
I In this manner the introduction of European
arts, one after another, speedily overturned and
supplanted the ancient Indian afts, and transferred
the«, at the end of but a few generations,
ftbm useful objects to the class of antiquities.
■ It is unnecessary to pursue the subject to the
department öf Clothing, in Which woolens, cottons,
linens and ribbons,-"took the place-of the
- dressed skins of animals and birds, and the inner
bark of freès, &c. "Such objects are no part of
the' antiquities to be studied diere. They are
wholly perishable', and if any tiring is to be
’^leaned from their study in the ufiburied cities
of - Pompten and Herculaneum, where stone and
marble -"offered objects of temporary resistance
to currents of flowing lava, they offer no facts
to guide thfe*pen of the antiquarian here. The
European and the Indian fabrics óf the 16th
century, have alike submitted to thé inevitable
laws of-decomposition; but Were if otherwise,
could we disinter from the Indian graves the
first duffils, strouds, osnaburgs, and blankets,
that were given to the race* they would only
prove that the latter quickly laid aside the inferior
when they could get the superior article.
It Would prove that guns and gunpowder, brass-
kettles and iron axes, had caused the manufacture
of stone darts and clay kettles to be thrown
aside and; forgotten, and in like manner the