Therats,soonafterourlanding,becamenotonlynumerousbutformidable,fromthedestructiontheyoccasionedinthestores.Latterlytheyhadalmostdisappeared,thoughtoaccountfortheirabsencewerenoteasy.
ThefirsttimeColbeesawamonkey,hecalled\'wurra\'arat;
butonexaminingitspawsheexclaimedwithastonishmentandaffright,\'mulla\'aman.
Attheheadofthebirdsthecassowaryoremu,standsconspicuous.
Theprintofitwhichhasalreadybeengiventothepublicissoaccurateforthemostpart,thatitwouldbemalignantcriticisminaworkofthiskindtopointoutafewtriflingdefects.
HereagainnaturalistsmustlookforwardtothatinformationwhichlongerandmoreintimateknowledgeofthefeatheredtribethanIcansupply,shallappear.Ihaveneverthelesshadthegoodfortunetoseewhatwasneverseenbutonce,inthecountryIamdescribing,byEuropeans——
ahatch,orflock,ofyoungcassowarieswiththeoldbird.Icountedten,butotherssaidthereweretwelve.Wecamesuddenlyuponthem,andtheyranupahillexactlylikeaflockofturkeys,butsofastthatwecouldnotgetashotatthem.Thelargestcassowaryeverkilledinthesettlement,weighedninety-fourpounds.Threeyoungones,whichhadbeenbyaccidentseparatedfromthedam,wereoncetakenandpresentedtothegovernor.Theywerenotlargerthansomanypullets,althoughatfirstsighttheyappearedtobesofromthelengthoftheirnecksandlegs.Theywereverybeautifullystriped,andfromtheirtenderstatewerejudgedtobenotmorethanthreeorfourdaysold.Theylivedonlyafewdays.
Asingleegg,theproductionofacassowary,waspickedupinadesertplace,droppedonthesand,withoutcoveringorprotectionofanykind.
Itsformwasnearlyaperfectellipsis;andthecolouroftheshelladarkgreen,fulloflittleindentsonitssurface.Itmeasuredeleveninchesandahalfincircumference,fiveinchesandaquarterinheight,andweighedapoundandaquarter.Afterwardswehadthegoodfortunetotakeanest.Itwasfoundbyasoldierinasequesteredsolitarysituation,madeinapatchofloftyfernaboutthreefeetindiameter,ratherofanoblongshapeandcomposedofdryleavesandtopsoffernstalks,veryinartificiallyputtogether.Thehollowinwhichlaytheeggs,twelveinnumber,seemedmadesolelybythepressureofthebird.
Theeggswereregularlyplacedinthefollowingposition.
O
OOO
OOOOO
OOO
Thesoldier,insteadofgreedilyplunderinghisprize,communicatedthediscoverytoanofficer,whoimmediatelysetoutforthespot.
Whentheyhadarrivedtheretheycontinuedforalongtimetosearchinvainfortheirobject,andthesoldierwasjustabouttobestigmatizedwithignorance,credulityorimposture,whensuddenlyupstartedtheoldbirdandthetreasurewasfoundattheirfeet.
Thefoodofthecassowaryiseithergrass,orayellowbell-flowergrowingintheswamps.Itdeservesremark,thatthenativesdenythecassowarytobeabird,becauseitdoesnotfly.
Ofotherbirdsthevarietiesareverynumerous.OftheparrottribealoneIcould,whileIamwriting,countupfrommemoryfourteendifferentsorts.
Hawksareverynumerous,soarequails.Asinglesnipehasbeenshot.
Ducks,geeseandotheraquaticbirdsareoftenseeninlargeflocks,butareuniversallysoshy,thatitisfounddifficulttoshootthem.
Someofthesmallerbirdsareverybeautiful,buttheyarenotremarkableforeithersweetness,orvarietyofnotes.Tooneofthem,notbiggerthanatomtit,wehavegiventhenameofcoach-whip,fromitsnoteexactlyresemblingthesmackofawhip.Thecountry,Iamofopinion,wouldaboundwithbirdsdidnotthenatives,byperpetuallysettingfiretothegrassandbushes,destroythegreaterpartofthenests;acausewhichalsocontributestorendersmallquadrupedsscarce.Theyarebesidesravenouslyfondofeggsandeatthemwherevertheyfindthem.Theycalltheroeofafishandabird\'seggbyonename.
SomuchhasbeensaidoftheabundanceinwhichfisharefoundintheharboursofNewSouthWalesthatitlookslikedetractiontoopposeacontradiction.
Someshareofknowledgemay,however,besupposedtobelongtoexperience.
ManyanighthaveItoiledinthetimesofdistressonthepublicservice,fromfouro\'clockintheafternoonuntileighto\'clocknextmorning,haulingtheseineineverypartoftheharbourofPortJackson:andafteracircuitofmanymilesandbetweentwentyandthirtyhauls,seldommorethanahundredpoundsoffishweretaken.However,itsometimeshappensthataglutenterstheharbour,andforafewdaystheysufficientlyabound.
Buttheuniversalvoiceofallprofessedfishermenisthattheyneverfishedinacountrywheresuccesswassoprecariousanduncertain.
Ishallnotpretendtoenumeratethevarietyoffishwhicharefound.
Theyareseenfromawhaletoagudgeon.Intheintermediateclassesmaybereckonedsharksofamonstroussize,skait,rock-cod,grey-mullet,bream,horse-mackarel,nowandthenasoleandjohndory,andinnumerableothersunknowninEurope,manyofwhichareextremelydelicious,andmanyhighlybeautiful.Atthetopofthelist,asanarticleoffood,standsafish,whichwenamedlight-horseman.Therelishofthisexcellentfishwasincreasedbyournatives,whopointedouttousitsdelicacies.NoepicureinEnglandcouldpickaheadwithmoregleeanddexteritythantheydothatofalight-horseman.
Reptilesintheswampsandcoversarenumerous.Ofsnakestherearetwoorthreesorts:butwhetherthebiteofanyofthembemortal,orevenvenomous,issomewhatdoubtful.Iknowbutofonewellattestedinstanceofabitebeingreceivedfromasnake.Asoldierwasbittensoastodrawblood,andthewoundhealedasasimpleincisionusuallydoeswithoutshewinganysymptomofmalignity.Adogwasreportedtobebittenbyasnake,andtheanimalswelledanddiedingreatagony.ButIwillbynomeansaffirmthatthecauseofhisdeathwasfairlyascertained.
Itis,however,certainthatthenativesshow,onalloccasions,theutmosthorrorofthesnake,andwillnoteatit,althoughtheyesteemlizards,goannas,andmanyotherreptilesdeliciousfare.Onthisoccasiontheyalwaysobservethatifthesnakebitesthem,theybecomelame,butwhetherbythistheymeantemporaryorlastinglamenessIdonotpretendtodetermine.Ihaveofteneatensnakesandalwaysfoundthempalatableandnutritive,thoughitwasdifficulttostewthemtoatenderstate.
Summerhere,asinallothercountries,bringswithitalonglistofinsects.
Intheneighborhoodofriversandmorasses,mosquitoesandsandfliesareneverwantingatanyseason,butatSydneytheyareseldomnumerousortroublesome.Themostnauseousanddestructiveofalltheinsectsisaflywhichblowsnoteggsbutlargelivingmaggots,andifthebodyoftheflybeopeneditisfoundfullofthem.Ofantsthereareseveralsorts,oneofwhichbitesveryseverely.Thewhiteantissometimesseen.Spidersarelargeandnumerous.Theirwebsarenotonlythestrongest,butthefinest,andmostsilkyIeverfelt.
Ihaveoftenthoughttheirlabourmightbeturnedtoadvantage.Ithas,Ibelieve,beenprovedthatspiders,wereitnotfortheirquarrelsomedispositionwhichirritatesthemtoattackanddestroyeachother,mightbeemployedmoreprofitablythansilk-worms.
Thehardinessofsomeoftheinsectsdeservestobementioned.Abeetlewasimmersedinproofspiritsforfourhours,andwhentakenoutcrawledawayalmostimmediately.Itwasasecondtimeimmersed,andcontinuedinaglassofrumforadayandanight,attheexpirationofwhichperioditstillshowedsymptomsoflife.Perhaps,however,whatIfromignorancedeemwonderfuliscommon.
*****
Thelastbutthemostimportantproductionyetremainstobeconsidered.
WhetherploddinginLondon,reekingwithhumanbloodinParisorwanderingamidstthesolitarywildsofNewSouthWales——Maniseveranobjectofinterest,curiosityandreflection.
ThenativesaroundPortJacksonareinpersonrathermorediminutiveandslightermade,especiallyaboutthethighsandlegs,thantheEuropeans.
Itisdoubtfulwhethertheirsocietycontainedapersonofsixfeethigh.
ThetallestIevermeasured,reachedfivefeeteleveninches,andmenofhisheightwererarelyseen.Baneelon,whotoweredabovethemajorityofhiscountrymen,stoodbarelyfivefeeteightincheshigh.Hisotherprincipaldimensionswereasfollows:
GirthoftheChest.2feet10inchesGirthoftheBelly.2feet61/2inchesGirthoftheThigh.181/8inchesGirthoftheLegattheCalf.121/8inchesGirthoftheLegattheSmall.10inchesGirthofarmhalfwaybetweentheshoulderandelbow.9inchesInstancesofnaturaldeformityarescarce,nordidweeverseeoneofthemleft-handed.Theyare,indeed,nearlyambidexter;butthesword,thespearandthefish-gigarealwaysusedwiththerighthand.
Theirmuscularforceisnotgreat;butthepliancyoftheirlimbsrendersthemveryactive.\"Givetocivilizedmanallhismachines,andheissuperiortothesavage;butwithoutthese,howinferiorishefoundonopposition,evenmoresothanthesavageinthefirstinstance.\"
ThesearethewordsofRousseau,andlikemanymoreofhispositionsmustbereceivedwithlimitation.WereanunarmedEnglishmanandanunarmedNewHollandertoengage,thelatter,Ithink,wouldfall.
Mr.Cookseemsinclinedtobelievethecoveringoftheirheadstobewool.
Butthisiserroneous.Itiscertainlyhair,whichwhenregularlycombedbecomessoonnearlyasflexibleanddocileasourown.TheirteetharenotsowhiteandgoodasthosegenerallyfoundinIndiannations,exceptinthechildren,buttheinferiorityoriginatesinthemselves.
heybitesticks,stones,shellsandallotherhardsubstances,indiscriminatelywiththem,whichquicklydestroystheenamelandgivesthemajaggedandunevenappearance.Ahighforehead,withprominentoverhangingeyebrows,istheirleadingcharacteristic,andwhenitdoesnotoperatetodestroyallopennessofcountenancegivesanairofresolutedignitytotheaspect,whichrecommends,inspiteofatruenegronose,thicklips,andawidemouth.
Theprominentshinbone,soinvariablyfoundintheAfricans,isnot,however,seen.Butinanotherparticulartheyaremorealike.Therankoffensivesmellwhichdisgustssomuchinthenegro,prevailsstronglyamongthemwhentheyareintheirnativestate,butitwearsoffinthosewhohaveresidedwithusandhavebeentaughthabitsofcleanliness.
Theirhandsandfeetaresmall*,especiallytheformer.
[*Imentionedthis,amongothercircumstances,tocolonelGordonwhenIwasattheCape,andhetoldmethatitindicatedpovertyandinadequacyofliving.
HeinstancedtometheHottentotsandCaffres.Theformerfarepoorly,andhavesmallhandsandfeet.TheCaffres,theirneighbours,liveplenteouslyandhaveverylargeones.Thisremarkcannotbeappliedtocivilizednations,wheresomanyfactitiouscausesoperate.]
Theireyesarefull,blackandpiercing,butthealmostperpetualstraininwhichtheopticnerveiskept,bylookingoutforprey,renderstheirsightweakatanearlieragethanweingeneralfindoursaffected.
Theselargeblackeyesareuniversallyshadedbythelongthicksweepyeyelash,somuchprizedinappreciatingbeauty,that,perhapshardlyanyfaceissohomelywhichthisaidcannotinsomedegreerenderinteresting;
andhardlyanysolovelywhich,withoutit,bearsnotsometraceofinsipidity.
Theirtoneofvoiceisloud,butnotharsh.Ihaveinsomeofthemfounditverypleasing.
Longevity,Ithink,isseldomattainedbythem.Unceasingagitationwearsouttheanimalframeandisunfriendlytolengthofdays.Wehaveseenthemgreywithage,butnotold;perhapsneverbeyondsixtyyears.
Butitmaybesaid,theAmericanIndian,inhisundebauchedstate,livestoanadvancedperiod.True,buthehashisseasonsofrepose.Hereapshislittleharvestofmaizeandcontinuesinidlenesswhileitlasts.
Hekillstheroebuckorthemoose-deer,whichmaintainshimandhisfamilyformanydays,duringwhichcessationthemusclesregaintheirspringandfithimforfreshtoils.WhereaseverysunawakesthenativeofNewSouthWalesunlessawhalebethrownuponthecoasttoarenewaloflabour,toprovidesubsistenceforthepresentday.
Thewomenareproportionallysmallerthanthemen.Inevermeasuredbuttwoofthem,whowereboth,Ithink,aboutthemediumheight.
Oneofthem,asisterofBaneelon,stoodexactlyfivefeettwoincheshigh.
Theother,namedGooreedeeana,wasshorterbyaquarterofaninch.
ButIcannotbreakfromGooreedeeanasoabruptly.ShebelongedtothetribeofCameragal,andrarelycameamongus.Oneday,however,sheenteredmyhousetocomplainofhunger.SheexcelledinbeautyalltheirfemalesIeversaw.Herageabouteighteen,thefirmness,thesymmetryandtheluxuriancyofherbosommighthavetemptedpaintingtocopyitscharms.
Hermouthwassmallandherteeth,thoughexposedtoallthedestructivepurposestowhichtheyapplythem,werewhite,soundandunbroken.
Hercountenance,thoughmarkedbysomeofthecharacteristicsofhernativeland,wasdistinguishedbyasoftnessandsensibilityunequalledintherestofhercountrywomen,andIwaswillingtobelievethatthesetraitsindicatedthedispositionofhermind.Ihadneverbeforeseenthiseleganttimidfemale,ofwhomIhadoftenheard;buttheinterestItookinherledmetoquestionheraboutherhusbandandfamily.
SheansweredmebyrepeatinganamewhichIhavenowforgotten,andtoldmeshehadnochildren.IwasseizedwithastrongpropensitytolearnwhethertheattractionsofGooreedeeanaweresufficientlypowerfultosecureherfromthebrutalviolencewithwhichthewomenaretreated,andasIfoundmyquestioneitherillunderstoodorreluctantlyanswered,Iproceededtoexamineherhead,thepartonwhichthehusband\'svengeancegenerallyalights.WithgriefIfounditcoveredbycontusionsandmangledbyscars.Thepoorcreature,grownbythistimemoreconfidentfromperceivingthatIpitiedher,pointedoutawoundjustaboveherleftkneewhichshetoldmewasreceivedfromaspear,thrownatherbyamanwhohadlatelydraggedherbyforcefromherhometogratifyhislust.
Iafterwardsobservedthatthiswoundhadcausedaslightlamenessandthatshelimpedinwalking.Icouldonlycompassionateherwrongsandsympathizeinhermisfortunes.Toalleviateherpresentsenseofthem,whenshetookherleaveIgaveher,however,allthebreadandsaltporkwhichmylittlestockafforded.
AfterthisIneversawherbutonce,whenIhappenedtobeneartheharbour\'smouthinaboat,withcaptainBall.Wemetherinacanoewithseveralmoreofhersex.Shewaspaintedforaball,withbroadstripesofwhiteearth,fromheadtofoot,sothatshenolongerlookedlikethesameGooreedeeana.Weofferedherseveralpresents,allofwhichshereadilyaccepted;butfindingoureagernessandsolicitudetoinspecther,shemanagedhercanoewithsuchaddressastoeludeourtoonearapproach,andactedthecoquettoadmiration.
Toreturnfromthisdigressiontomysubject,Ihaveonlyfarthertoobservethattheestimationoffemalebeautyamongthenativesthemenatleast
isinthiscountrythesameasinmostothers.WereaNewHollandertoportrayhismistress,hewoulddrawherthe\'Venusauxbellesfesses\'.
WheneverBaneelondescribedtoushisfavouritefair,healwayspaintedherinthis,andanotherparticular,aseminentlyluxuriant.
Unsatisfied,however,withnaturalbeautylikethepeopleofallothercountriestheystrivebyadscititiousembellishmentstoheightenattraction,andoftenwithaslittlesuccess.HencethenakedsavageofNewSouthWalespiercestheseptumofhisnose,throughwhichherunsastickorabone,andscarifieshisbody,thecharmsofwhichincreaseinproportiontothenumberandmagnitudeofseamsbywhichitisdistinguished.
Theoperationisperformedbymakingtwolongitudinalincisionswithasharpenedshell,andafterwardspinchingupwiththenailstheintermediatespaceofskinandflesh,whichtherebybecomesconsiderablyelevatedandformsaprominenceasthickasaman\'sfinger.Nodoubtbutpainmustbeseverelyfeltuntilthewoundbehealed.Buttheloveofornamentdefiesweakerconsiderations,andnoEnglishbeaucanbearmorestoutlytheextractionofhisteethtomakeroomforafreshsetfromachimneysweeper,orafaironesufferhertenderearstobeperforated,withmoreheroismthanthegrislynymphsonthebanksofPortJackson,submittheirsableshoulderstotheremorselesslancet.
ThatthesescarificationsareintendedsolelytoincreasepersonalallurementIwillnot,however,positivelyaffirm.Similar,perhaps,tothecauseofanexcisionofpartofthelittlefingerofthelefthandinthewomen,andofafronttoothinthemen;*orprobablyafterallourconjectures,superstitiousceremoniesbywhichtheyhopeeithertoavertevilortopropagategood,areintended.Thecolourswithwhichtheybesmearthebodiesofbothsexespossiblydatefromthesamecommonorigin.
Whitepaintisstrictlyappropriatetothedance.Redseemstobeusedonnumberlessoccasions,andisconsideredasacolouroflessconsequence.
Itmayberemarkedthattheytranslatetheepithetwhitewhentheyspeakofus,notbythenamewhichtheyassigntothiswhiteearth,butbythatwithwhichtheydistinguishthepalmsoftheirhands.
[*Itistobeobservedthatneitheroftheseceremoniesisuniversal,butnearlyso.WhythereshouldexistexemptionsIcannotresolve.
Themannerofexecutingthemisasfollows.Thefingeristakenoffbymeansofaligaturegenerallyasinewofakangarootiedsotightastostopthecirculationoftheblood,whichinducesmortificationandthepartdropsoff.IremembertohaveseenColbee\'schild,whenaboutamonthold,onwhomthisoperationhadbeenjustperformedbyhermother.
Thelittlewretchseemedinpain,andherhandwasgreatlyswelled.
Butthiswasdeemedtootriflingaconsiderationtodeserveregardinacaseofsomuchimportance.
Thetoothintendedtobetakenoutisloosenedbythegumbeingscarifiedonbothsideswithasharpshell.Theendofastickisthenappliedtothetooth,whichisstruckgentlyseveraltimeswithastone,untilitbecomeseasilymoveable,whenthe\'coupdegrace\'isgivenbyasmartstroke.
Notwithstandingtheseprecautions,Ihaveseenaconsiderabledegreeofswellingandinflammationfollowtheextraction.Imeerawanyee,Iremember,sufferedseverely.Butheboastedthefirmnessandhardihoodwithwhichhehadenduredit.Itisseldomperformedonthosewhoareundersixteenyearsold.]
AsthisleadstoanimportantsubjectIshallatoncediscussit.
\"Havethesepeopleanyreligion:anyknowledgeof,orbeliefinadeity?——
anyconceptionoftheimmortalityofthesoul?\"arequestionswhichhavebeenoftenputtomesincemyarrivalinEngland:Ishallendeavourtoanswerthemwithcandourandseriousness.
Untilbeliefbeenlightenedbyrevelationandchastenedbyreason,religionandsuperstition,aretermsofequalimport.Oneofourearliestimpressionsistheconsciousnessofasuperiorpower.Thevariousformsunderwhichthisimpressionhasmanifesteditselfareobjectsofthemostcuriousspeculation.
ThenativeofNewSouthWalesbelievesthatparticularaspectsandappearancesoftheheavenlybodiespredictgoodorevilconsequencestohimselfandhisfriends.Heoftentimescallsthesunandmoon\'weeree,\'thatis,malignant,pernicious.Shouldheseetheleadingfixedstarsmanyofwhichhecancallbynameobscuredbyvapours,hesometimesdisregardstheomen,andsometimesdrawsfromitthemostdrearyconclusions.
IrememberAbaroorunningintoaroomwhereacompanywasassembled,andutteringfrightfulexclamationsofimpendingmischiefsabouttolightonherandhercountrymen.Whenquestionedonthecauseofsuchagitationshewenttothedoorandpointedtotheskies,sayingthatwheneverthestarsworethatappearance,misfortunestothenativesalwaysfollowed.
Thenightwascloudyandtheairdisturbedbymeteors.Ihaveheardmanymoreofthemtestifysimilarapprehensions.
Howeverinvolvedindarknessanddisfiguredbyerrorsuchabeliefbe,noonewill,Ipresume,denythatitconveysadirectimplicationofsuperioragency;ofapowerindependentofanduncontrolledbythosewhoaretheobjectsofitsvengeance.Butproofstopsnothere.
Whentheyhearthethunderrollandviewthelividglare,theyfleethemnot,butrushoutanddeprecatedestruction.Theyhaveadanceandasongappropriatedtothisawfuloccasion,whichconsistofthewildestandmostuncouthnoisesandgestures.Wouldtheyactsuchaceremonydidtheynotconceivethateitherthethunderitself,orhewhodirectsthethunder,mightbepropitiatedbyitsperformance?Thatalivingintellectualprincipleexists,capableofcomprehendingtheirpetitionandofeithergrantingordenyingit?Theyneveraddressprayerstobodieswhichtheyknowtobeinanimate,eithertoimploretheirprotectionoraverttheirwrath.Whenthegum-treeinatempestnodsoverthem;
ortherockoverhangingthecaverninwhichtheysleepthreatensbyitsfalltocrushthem,theycalculateasfarastheirknowledgeextends
onphysicalprinciples,likeothermen,thenearnessandmagnitudeofthedanger,andfleeitaccordingly.Andyetthereisreasontobelievethatfromaccidentsofthisnaturetheysuffermorethanfromlightning.
Baneelononceshowedusacave,thetopofwhichhadfalleninandburiedunderitsruins,sevenpeoplewhoweresleepingunderit.
Todescend;isnoteventheridiculoussuperstitionofColbeerelatedinoneofourjourniestotheHawkesbury?Andagainthefollowinginstance.
Abaroowassick.Tocureher,oneofherownsexslightlycutherontheforehead,inaperpendiculardirectionwithanoystershell,soasjusttofetchblood.Shethenputoneendofastringtothewoundand,beginningtosing,heldtheotherendtoherowngums,whichsherubbeduntiltheybledcopiously.Thisbloodshecontendedwasthebloodofthepatient,flowingthroughthestring,andthatshewouldtherebysoonrecover.Abaroobecamewell,andfirmlybelievedthatsheowedhercuretothetreatmentshehadreceived.Arenotthese,Isay,links,subordinateonesindeed,ofthesamegoldenchain?Hewhobelievesinmagicconfessessupernaturalagency,andabeliefofthissortextendsfartherinmanypersonsthantheyarewillingtoallow.TherehavelivedmensoinconsistentwiththeirownprinciplesastodenytheexistenceofaGod,whohaveneverthelessturnedpaleatthetricksofamountebank.
Butnottomultiplyargumentsonasubjectwheredemonstrationatleasttomeisincontestable,IshallclosebyexpressingmyfirmbeliefthattheIndiansofNewSouthWalesacknowledgetheexistenceofasuperintendingdeity.Oftheirideasoftheoriginanddurationofhisexistence;ofhispowerandcapacity;ofhisbenignityormaleficence;
oroftheirownemanationfromhim,Ipretendnottospeak.Ihaveoften,incommonwithothers,triedtogaininformationfromthemonthishead;
butwewerealwaysrepulsedbyobstacleswhichwecouldneitherpassbyorsurmount.Mr.DawesattemptedtoteachAbaroosomeofournotionsofreligion,andhopedthatshewouldtherebybeinducedtocommunicatehersinreturn.Butherlevityandloveofplayinagreatmeasuredefeatedhisefforts,althougheverythinghedidlearnfromherservedtoconfirmwhatishereadvanced.Itmayberemarked,thatwhentheyattendedatchurchwithuswhichwasacommonpracticetheyalwayspreservedprofoundsilenceanddecency,asifconsciousthatsomereligiousceremonyonoursidewasperforming.
Thequestionof,whethertheybelieveintheimmortalityofthesoulwilltakeupverylittletimetoanswer.Theyareuniversallyfearfulofspirits.*Theycallaspirit\'mawn\'.Theyoftenscrupletoapproachacorpse,sayingthatthe\'mawn\'willseizethemandthatitfastensupontheminthenightwhenasleep.**Whenaskedwheretheirdeceasedfriendsaretheyalwayspointtotheskies.Tobelieveinafterexistenceistoconfesstheimmortalityofsomepartofbeing.Toenquirewhethertheyassigna\'limited\'periodtosuchfuturestatewouldbesuperfluous.Thisisoneofthesubtletiesofspeculationwhichasavagemaybesupposednottohaveconsidered,withoutimpeachmenteitherofhissagacityorhappiness.
[*\"Itisremarkable,\"saysCicero,\"thatthereisnonation,whetherbarbarousorcivilized,thatdoesnotbelieveintheexistenceofspirits\".]
[**Astheyofteneattosatiety,eventoproducesickness,maynotthisbetheeffectofanoverloadedstomach:thenightmare?]
Theirmannerofinterringthedeadhasbeenamplydescribed.Itiscertainthatinsteadofburyingtheysometimesburnthecorpse;butthecauseofdistinctionweknownot.Adeadbody,coveredbyacanoe,atwhosesideaswordandshieldwereplacedinstate,wasoncediscovered.Allthatwecouldlearnaboutthisimportantpersonagewasthathewasa\'Gweeagal\'
oneofthetribeofGweeaandacelebratedwarrior.
Toappreciatetheirgeneralpowersofmindisdifficult.Ignorance,prejudice,theforceofhabit,continuallyinterferetopreventdispassionatejudgment.Ihaveheardmensounreasonableastoexclaimatthestupidityofthesepeoplefornotcomprehendingwhatasmallshareofreflectionwouldhavetaughtthemtheyoughtnottohaveexpected.AndothersagainIhaveheardsosanguineintheiradmirationastoextolforproofsofelevatedgeniuswhatthecommonestabilitieswerecapableofexecuting.
Iftheybeconsideredasanationwhosegeneraladvancementandacquisitionsaretobeweighed,theycertainlyrankverylow,eveninthescaleofsavages.
TheymayperhapsdisputetherightofprecedencewiththeHottentotsortheshiveringtribeswhoinhabittheshoresofMagellan.ButhowinferiordotheyshowwhencomparedwiththesubtleAfrican;thepatientwatchfulAmerican;ortheeleganttimidislanderoftheSouthSeas.Thoughsufferingfromthevicissitudesoftheirclimate,strangerstoclothing,thoughfeelingthesharpnessofhungerandknowingtheprecariousnessofsupplyfromthatelementonwhosestorestheyprincipallydepend,ignorantofcultivatingtheearth——alessenlightenedstateweshallexclaimcanhardlyexist.
Butiffromgeneralviewwedescendtoparticularinspection,andexamineindividuallythepersonswhocomposethiscommunity,theywillcertainlyriseinestimation.Inthenarrativepartofthiswork,Ihaveendeavouredrathertodetailinformationthantodeduceconclusions,leavingtothereadertheexerciseofhisownjudgment.ThebehaviourofArabanoo,ofBaneelon,ofColbeeandmanyothersiscopiouslydescribed,andassuredlyhewhoshallmakejustallowanceforuninstructednaturewillhardlyaccuseanyofthosepersonsofstupidityordeficiencyofapprehension.
Tooffermyownopiniononthesubject,IdonothesitatetodeclarethatthenativesofNewSouthWalespossessaconsiderableportionofthatacumen,orsharpnessofintellect,whichbespeaksgenius.
Allsavageshatetoilandplacehappinessininaction,andneithertheartsofcivilizedlifecanbepractisedortheadvantagesofitfeltwithoutapplicationandlabour.Hencetheyresistknowledgeandtheadoptionofmannersandcustomsdifferingfromtheirown.Theprogressofreasonisnotonlyslow,butmechanical.\"DetouteslesInstructionspropresal\'homme,cellequ\'ilacquiertleplustard,etleplusdifficilement,estlaraisonmeme.\"Thetranquilindifferenceanduninquiringeyewithwhichtheysurveyedourworksofarthaveoften,inmyhearing,beenstigmatizedasproofsofstupidity,andwantofreflection.Butsurelyweshoulddiscriminatebetweenignoranceanddefectofunderstanding.
Thetruthwas,theyoftenneithercomprehendedthedesignnorconceivedtheutilityofsuchworks,butonsubjectsinanydegreefamiliarisedtotheirideas,theygenerallytestifiednotonlyacutenessofdiscernmentbutalargeportionofgoodsense.Ihavealwaysthoughtthatthedistinctionstheyshewedintheirestimateofus,onfirstenteringintooursociety,stronglydisplayedthelatterquality:whentheywereledintoourrespectivehouses,atoncetobeastonishedandawedbyoursuperiority,theirattentionwasdirectlyturnedtoobjectswithwhichtheywereacquainted.
Theypassedwithoutraptureoremotionournumerousartificesandcontrivances,butwhentheysawacollectionofweaponsofwaroroftheskinsofanimalsandbirds,theyneverfailedtoexclaim,andtoconferwitheachotheronthesubject.Themasterofthathousebecametheobjectoftheirregard,astheyconcludedhemustbeeitherarenownedwarrior,oranexperthunter.
Oursurgeonsgrewintotheiresteemfromalikecause.Inaveryearlystageofintercourse,severalnativeswerepresentattheamputationofaleg.
Whentheyfirstpenetratedtheintentionoftheoperator,theywereconfounded,notbelievingitpossiblethatsuchanoperationcouldbeperformedwithoutlossoflife,andtheycalledaloudtohimtodesist;butwhentheysawthetorrentofbloodstopped,thevesselstakenupandthestumpdressed,theirhorrorandalarmyieldedtoastonishmentandadmiration,whichtheyexpressedbytheloudesttokens.Iftheseinstancesbespeaknotnatureandgoodsense,Ihaveyettolearnthemeaningoftheterms.
Ifitbeaskedwhythesameintelligentspiritwhichledthemtocontemplateandapplaudthesuccessofthesportsmanandtheskillofthesurgeon,didnotequallyexcitethemtomeditateonthelaboursofthebuilderandtheploughman,Icanonlyanswerthatwhatweseeinitsremotecauseisalwaysmorefeeblyfeltthanthatwhichpresentstoourimmediategraspbothitsoriginandeffect.
TheirleadinggoodandbadqualitiesIshallconciselytouchupon.
Oftheirintrepiditynodoubtcanexist.Theirlevity,theirfickleness,theirpassionateextravaganceofcharacter,cannotbedefended.
Theyareindeedsuddenandquickinquarrel;butiftheirresentmentbeeasilyroused,theirthirstofrevengeisnotimplacable.Theirhonesty,whentemptedbynovelty,isnotunimpeachable,butintheirownsocietythereisgoodreasontobelievethatfewbreachesofitoccur.
Itwerewellifsimilarpraisecouldbegiventotheirveracity:buttruththeyneitherprizenorpractice.Whentheywishtodeceivetheyscruplenottoutterthegrossestandmosthardenedlies.*Theirattachmentandgratitudetothoseamonguswhomtheyhaveprofessedtolovehavealwaysremainedinviolable,unlesseffacedbyresentment,fromsuddenprovocation:then,likeallotherIndians,theimpulseofthemomentisaloneregardedbythem.
[*Thismayservetoaccountforthecontradictionsofmanyoftheiraccountstous.]
Someoftheirmanufacturesdisplayingenuity,whentherudetoolswithwhichtheywork,andtheircelerityofexecutionareconsidered.Thecanoes,fish-gigs,swords,shields,spears,throwingsticks,clubs,andhatchets,aremadebythemen.Tothewomenarecommittedthefishing-lines,hooksandnets.AsveryamplecollectionsofallthesearticlesaretobefoundinmanymuseumsinEngland,Ishallonlybrieflydescribethewayinwhichthemostremarkableofthemaremade.Thefish-gigsandspearsarecommonlybutnotuniversallymadeofthelongspiralshootwhicharisesfromthetopoftheyellowgum-tree,andbearstheflower.Theformerhaveseveralprongs,barbedwiththeboneofkangaroo.Thelatteraresometimesbarbedwiththesamesubstance,orwiththeprickleofthesting-ray,orwithstoneorhardenedgum,andsometimessimplypointed.Dexterityinthrowingandparryingthespearisconsideredasthehighestacquirement.Thechildrenofbothsexespracticefromthetimethattheyareabletothrowarush;
theirfirstessay.Itformstheirconstantrecreation.Theyafterwardsheaveateachotherwithpointedtwigs.Hewhoactsonthedefensiveholdsapieceofnewsoftbarkinthelefthand,torepresentashield,inwhichhereceivesthedartsoftheassailant,thepointsstickinginit.Nowcommenceshisturn.Heextractsthetwigsanddartsthembackatthefirstthrower,whocatchesthemsimilarly.Inwardingoffthespeartheyneverpresenttheirfront,butalwaysturntheirside,theirheadatthesametimejustclearoftheshield,towatchtheflightoftheweapon;
andthebodycovered.Ifaspeardropfromthemwhenthusengaged,theydonotstooptopickitup,buthookitbetweenthetoesandsoliftituntilitmeetthehand.Thustheeyeisneverdivertedfromitsobject,thefoe.Iftheywishtobreakaspearoranywoodensubstance,theylayitnotacrossthethighorthebody,butuponthehead,andpressdowntheendsuntilitsnap.Theirshieldsareoftwosorts.Thatcalled\'illemon\'