When Any Addresses Are Made
To One Of These Girls, She Immediately Acquaints Her Parents Therewith,
And They Tell The
King of it, (provided he that courts her be a Stranger)
his Majesty commonly being the principal Bawd of the
Nation he rules over,
and there seldom being any of these Winchester-Weddings agreed on,
without his Royal Consent. He likewise advises her what Bargain to make,
and if it happens to be an Indian Trader that wants a Bed-fellow,
and has got Rum to sell, be sure, the King must have a large Dram for a Fee,
to confirm the Match. These Indians, that are of the elder sort,
when any such Question is put to them, will debate the Matter
amongst themselves with all the Sobriety and Seriousness imaginable,
every one of the Girl's Relations arguing the Advantage or Detriment
that may ensue such a Night's Encounter; all which is done
with as much Steadiness and Reality, as if it was the greatest Concern
in the World, and not so much as one Person shall be seen to smile,
so long as the Debate holds, making no Difference betwixt
an Agreement of this Nature, and a Bargain of any other. If they comply
with the Men's Desire, then a particular Bed is provided for them,
either in a Cabin by themselves, or else all the young people turn out,
to another Lodging, that they may not spoil Sport; and if the old People
are in the same Cabin along with them all Night, they lie as unconcern'd,
as if they were so many Logs of Wood.
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