MOVEABLE SKIN LODGES OF THE "The subject of the annexed engraving is one of a peculiarly American character, relating as it does to the aborigines of our country. The picture represents the skin lodge of the tribe of Kaskaias, or Bad Hearts, as they have been denominated by the French, a party of which was met by the expedition from Pittsburgh to to the Rocky Mountains, under the command of Major Long. The members of the party were encountered on their return from a hunting excursion to the sources of the Brassis and the Rio Colorado of Texas. The ground which they chose for their encampment, according to the account of Major Long, was a beautiful open plain, having the Red River in front, and a small river on the left. The plain was suddenly covered with the tall, conic lodges raised by the squaws, in perfect silence and good order. The remainder of the scene, so clearly described, we quote from the account of the expedition. "For our accommodation a lodge was spread, enclosing as much space as possible in a semicircular area, in such a manner, that the skin covering afforded a shade, which was all the shelter needed. In order to enlarge this tent as much as possible, the covering was raised so high upon the poles that its lower margin did not extend to the ground by a space of several feet. To remedy this the squaws brought bushes from a neighbouring thicket, which they placed around the base of the lodge, in such a manner as effectually to exclude the sunshine. We were sorry to find afterwards that this had been done not more from motives of hospitality, than to aid them in their design of pilfering from our baggage. These skin lodges, are the only habitations of the wandering savages, during all seasons of the year. Those of the Kaskaias differ in no respect from those we have already described, as used by Otoes and others of the Missouri Indians. The poles, which are six or eight to each lodge, [1833. are from twenty to thirty feet in length, and are dragged constantly about in all their movements, so that the trace of a party with lodges is easily distinguished from that of a war party. When they halt to encamp, the women immediately set up these poles, four of them being tied together by the smaller ends, the larger resting on the ground, are placed so far apart as to include as much space as the covering will surround. The remaining poles are added to strengthen the work and give it a circular form. The covering is then made fast by one corner to the end of the last pole, which is to be raised, by which means it is spread upon the frame with little difficulty. The structure when completed is in form of a sharp cone. At the summit is-a small opening for window, chimney, &e., out of which the lodge poles project some distance, crossing each other at the point where the four shortest are tied together. The skin lodge, is greately inferior in point of comfort, particularly in winter season, to the spacious mud cabins of the settled Indians. The poles, necessary for he construction of these moveable dwellings, are not to be found in any part of the country of the Kaskaias, but are purchased from the Indians of the Missouri, or others inhabiting countries more plentifully supplied with timber. We were informed by Bijeau, that five of these poles are, among the Bad-hearts, equal in value to a horse." "BARNEY LEAVE THE GIRLS ALONE."-A correspondent of the British Naval Chronicle affirms that this musical bagatelle owes its origin to the kiss publicly bestowed on the late Commodore Barney, by the beautiful Queen of France, on the occasion of his visit to Paris, after his gallant exploits at sea,, in the war of the Revolution. The ma ds of honour were all so eager to follow the gracious example of the Queen, that it is said the young American became henceforth an object of envy and dislike to all the beau monde at Court. The bagatelle was composed by an Irish offi cer who was present when the royal familiarity was exhibited |