visitor approaches their wigwam, perform the simple ceremony of an introduction to their chief, by putting the pipe of peace in the stranger's mouth, and inviting him to a seat near the fire, upon a clean blanket; while in most of the South Sea Islands, though the custom may vary in some respects, this very important preliminary to a friendly intercourse is usually adjusted by an easy contact of the parties' noses, or by an exchange of gifts. What more than this can indeed be necessary, when the minds of both are really disposed to friendship? and what splendid ceremony of introduction can inspire sentiments of good-will where enmity has already taken root?

The salutations between the different tribes in the north-west of America are very ceremonious. If two hordes of these savages meet, they stop at the distance of twenty or thirty paces, throw themselves on the ground, and remain for some moments in this position. The two eldest of each party then advance, and relate very circumstantially the dangers they have encountered. As soon as they have finished their narratives, they all begin to sigh. These sighs are finally changed into a horrible yell, in which the young girls particularly endeavour to surpass the others of the tribe. With these affecting manifestations of sympathy both parties approach, but each

sex separately. Tobacco-pipes are handed about, and their affliction is soon changed to merriment.

THE LAPLANDERS.

The Laplanders apply their nose strongly against that of the person they salute.

ThE SOUTH AMERICANS.

Dampier says that at New Orleans they are satisfied in placing on their heads the leaves of trees, which have ever passed for symbols of friendship and peace. This is at least a picturesque salute. Other salutations are very incommodious and painful; it requires great practice to enable a man to be polite in an island situated in the Straits of the Sound. Houtman tells us they saluted him in this odd way:— “They raised his left foot, which they passed gently over the right leg; and from thence over his face.”

THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDF.R.S. The inhabitants of the Philippines bend their bodies very low in placing their hands on their cheeks, and raising at the same time one foot in the air, with the knee bent. The Islanders, near the Philippines, take the hand or foot of the person they salute, and with it gently rub their face. THE CHINESE.

The Chinese are singularly affected in their personal civilities; they even calculate the number of their reverences. These are their most remarkable postures:—The men move their hands in an affectionate manner, while they are joined together on the breast, and bow the head a little. If they respect a person they raise their hands joined, and then lower them to the earth in bending the body. If two persons meet after a long separation, they both fall on their knees and bend their faces to the earth; and this ceremony they repeat two or three times. If a Chinese is asked how he finds himself in health 2 he answers, “Very well, thanks to your abundant felicity.” If they would tell a man that he looks well, they say, “Prosperity is painted in your face;” or “Your air announces your happiness.” If you render them any Service they say, “My thanks should be immortal.” If you praise them they answer, “How shall I dare to persuade myself of what you say of me?” If you dine with them, they tell you at parting, “We have not treated you with sufficient distinction.” The various titles they invent for each other it would be impossible to translate.

It is to be observed that all these answers are prescribed by the Chinese Ritual, or Academy of Compliments. There are determined the number of bows, the expressions to be employed, and the inclinations which are to be made to the right or left hand; the salutations of the master before the chair, where the stranger is to be seated, for he salutes it most profoundly, and wipes the dust away with the skirts of his robe; all these gestures, and other things, are noticed, even to the silent gestures by which you are entreated to enter the house. The lower class of people are equally nice in these punctilios; and ambassadors pass forty days in practising them before they are enabled to appear at court. A Tribunal of Ceremonies has been erected, and every day very odd decrees are issued, to which the Chinese most religiously submit.

THE JAPANESE.

In Japan, the inferior of two persons saluting takes off his sandals, puts his right hand into his left sleeve, permits his hands, thus crossed, to sink slowly upon his knee, passes the other person with short, measured steps, and a rocking motion of the body, and exclaims, with an expression of fear on his countenance, Augh, augh /—that is, “Do not hurt me!”

THE AFRICAN.

In Africa, among several negro nations, the people take each other's hands, and pull the fingers till they crack. The negroes of Sierra Leone bend the right elbow, so that the hand touches the mouth; the person saluted does the same thing; they then put their thumb and fore-finger together, and withdraw them slowly. Other negroes snap their fingers in meeting each other, pull the comb out of their hair, and replace it. In Lower Guinea, the saluting person seizes the fingers of the saluted, brings them into a particular position, presses them, cracks them hastily, calling, Akkio ! akkio !—“ Thy servant! thy servant !” On the Gold Coast of Upper Guinea, friends embrace each other, join the fore-fingers of their right hands until they crack, bend their heads, repeating, Auzi! auzi !

- "Good day! good day!” Persons of distinction, after cracking their fingers, exclaim, Bere! bere ! — “Peace! peace !” If the Mandingoes salute a female, they take her hand, raise it to their noses, and smell it twice. In other countries of Africa people take off their clothes, fall on their knees, bend their heads to the ground, and cover their head and shoulders with sand.