the treasury, and consulted as the oracle of the family."

Among the amatory customs of various


SAVAGE NATIONS


and tribes, there are certain which somewhat resemble _bundling_, except
in the greater degree of freedom allowed--a freedom which, in the eyes
of civilized nations, is absolute immorality. Of this description is the
manner of wooing described by La Hontan as prevalent among the Indians
of North America.[19]

Yet, in many of these instances, if we were to carefully examine the
social system and customs of our savage friends, and were willing to
judge them rather by the results of our own observation, than by our
preconceived opinions, we should probably find that the absolute
_practical morality_ of these _untutored natives_, was quite equal, if
not superior, to that of the educated and civilized whites.[20]

Among these _customs de amour_, however, to which we have alluded as
existing among different savage tribes, there are none which bear so
perfect a resemblance to _bundling_, as that described by Masson in his
_Journeys in Central Asia, Belochistan, Afghanistan,_ etc. (III, 287.)
He says:

"Many of the Afghan tribes have a custom of wooing similar to what in
Wales is known as _bundling-up_, and which they term _namzat bezé_. The
lover presents himself at the house of his betrothed with a suitable