1773- ROUND THE WORLD. 249 



killed so many. We had also reason to think that 

 they did not come off without loss ; for a young 

 woman was seen more than once to cut herself, as is 

 the custom when they lose a friend or relation. 



That the New Zealanders are cannibals can now no 

 longer be doubted. The account given of this in my 

 former voyage, being partly founded on circum- 

 stances, was, as I afterwards understood, discredited 

 by many persons. Few consider w T hat a savage man is 

 in his natural state, and even after he is in some degree 

 civilized. The New Zealanders are certainly in some 

 state of civilization ; their behaviour to us was manly 

 and mild, showing on all occasions a readiness to 

 to oblige. They have some arts among them which 

 they execute with great judgment, and unwearied 

 patience ; they are far less addicted to thieving than 

 the other islanders of the South Sea 5 and I be- 

 lieve those in the same tribe, or such as are at 

 peace one with another, are strictly honest among 

 themselves. This custom of eating their enemies 

 slain in battle (for I firmly believe they eat the flesh 

 of no others) has, undoubtedly, been handed down to 

 them from the earliest times ; and we know it is not 

 an easy matter to wean a nation from their ancient 

 customs, let them be ever so inhuman and savage ; 

 especially if that nation has no manner of connexion 

 or commerce with strangers. For it is by this that 

 the greatest part of the human race has been civilized; 

 an advantage which the New Zealanders from their 

 situation never had. An intercourse with foreigners 

 would reform their manners, and polish their savage 

 minds. Or, were they more united under a settled 

 form of government, they would have fewer enemies ; 

 consequently, this custom would be less in use, and 

 might in time be in a manner forgotten. At present, 

 they have but little idea of treating others as them- 

 selves would wish to be treated, but treat them as 

 they expect to be treated. If I remember right, one 

 of the arguments they made use of to Tupia, who 



