of the average aborigine. The Nez Perces have always been the exemplary "good Indians" of the North-west; and they, certainly, are much better than their southern neighbors of the same color; but to regard them as civilized or half-civilized, or to expect them to become such, is an error. We have forgotten what the Nez Perce Treaty makes it necessary to expend in educational facilities for the tribe; but we know that there are about three thousand of these Indians, and that there are, at present, fifteen in the school at the Agency. It is true, that they cultivate a little ground under superintendency, which looks well; but it is only a little. They have an orchard, too, at the Agency, but the fruit is all stolen while it is green, and never does them any good. They parade themselves in their blankets of red or white—lounging about, full of impertinence, and very Indian altogether. Some of them are fine-enough-looking fellows, and many of the young women are pretty. The latter can learn to sew quite nicely, but are too indolent to keep themselves decently clad without constant urging. They prefer lounging like the men, and amuse themselves in the Indian-room of Mr. Whitman's, by chanting together their low, lazy, not unmusical, though decidedly barbarous and unpronounceable, sing-song.
The interpreter, an indispensable man at the Agency, is Mr. Perrin Whitman, nephew of Dr. Marcus Whitman, of honorable memory. lie has here a pleasant home, and a cheerful family of his own; while the Indians look upon him as the only person who can represent them properly—therefore his position, probably, is a permanent one.
Asking to be introduced to "Lawyer," Mr. Whitman took us to see this renowned chief. He is a rather
