also of bark; but as it is taken off the trees in
broad pieces, they contrive to make a pretty warm
dwelling. A few chiefs, and others, have good
houses of wood, well furnished; and some of the
Indians, being very good workmen, and having
complete sets of tools, I have seen houses of their
building superior to many in England.

As the whole of this day's journey lay amongst
the Indians, whose habitations are pretty numerous
in this quarter, I had a fair opportunity of forming
some judgment of the progress they have made in
the useful arts of civilized life; and I confess it is
my opinion, that many in these villages, are further
advanced in this respect, and enjoy more of the
comforts of life, than many of the inhabitants of
the remote parts of Great Britain and Ireland.

In passing by one of their habitations, I noticed
the Indian manner of preparing deer skins for use.
After taking off the hair, they sew up the skin
like a bag; and one end being suspended by a
support, the lower end is brought close over a
vessel, containing a small fire, of green wood,
at the bottom. The carbonic acid ascend-
ing with the smoke, so impregnates the skin,
that it becomes a dutiable and elastic leather;
very suitable for their shoes, or moccasons, and
other useful purposes. This operation was going
forward under the piazza of a very good frame-