rank very low, even in the
scale of savages. They may perhaps dispute the right of precedence with the
Hottentots or the shivering tribes who inhabit the shores of Magellan.
But how inferior do they show when compared with the subtle African; the
patient watchful American; or the elegant timid islander of the South
Seas. Though suffering from the vicissitudes of their climate, strangers
to clothing, though feeling the sharpness of hunger and knowing the
precariousness of supply from that element on whose stores they principally
depend, ignorant of cultivating the earth--a less enlightened state we
shall exclaim can hardly exist.

But if from general view we descend to particular inspection, and examine
individually the persons who compose this community, they will certainly
rise in estimation. In the narrative part of this work, I have endeavoured
rather to detail information than to deduce conclusions, leaving to the
reader the exercise of his own judgment. The behaviour of Arabanoo, of
Baneelon, of Colbee and many others is copiously described, and assuredly
he who shall make just allowance for uninstructed nature will hardly accuse
any of those persons of stupidity or deficiency of apprehension.

To offer my own opinion on the subject, I do not hesitate to declare that
the natives of New South Wales possess a considerable portion of that
acumen, or sharpness of intellect, which bespeaks genius. All savages hate
toil and place happiness in inaction, and neither the arts of civilized
life can be practised or the advantages of it felt without application and
labour. Hence they resist knowledge and the adoption of manners and customs
differing from their own. The progress of reason is not only slow, but
mechanical. "De toutes les Instructions propres a l'homme, celle qu'il
acquiert le plus tard, et le plus difficilement, est la raison meme." The
tranquil indifference and uninquiring eye with which they surveyed our
works of art have often, in my hearing, been stigmatized as proofs of
stupidity, and want of reflection. But surely we should discriminate
between ignorance and defect of understanding. The truth was, they often
neither comprehended the design nor conceived the utility of such works,
but on subjects in any degree familiarised to their ideas, they generally
testified not only acuteness of discernment but a large portion of good
sense. I have always thought that the distinctions they shewed in their
estimate of