16 SKETCH OF THE BOOTHIANS. 



That these dogs were in bad training, was a natural consequence. 

 Their cheerfulness was often vivacity, so that we might consider 

 them a liglithearted people; and they seemed to possess great 

 command of temper. The only show of resentment for what was 

 thought an offence, was silence, after which they commonly left us 

 and returned to their homes. 



The thievish propensities of savage nations are familiar : there is 

 not a voyager's narrative which does not dwell on them ; and such 

 excuses or defences have been made as these narrators could best 

 contrive. I need not repeat the satirical defence which asks, what 

 civilized Europeans, under equal temptations, and no restraints from 

 divine or human laws, would act in a different manner. It seems 

 a very simple question after all. Here, at least, whatever it may 

 be elsewhere, there is no written divine law against theft, nor does 

 there appear to be any moral sense which says that it is, abstract- 

 edly, and universally, wrong. Human laws there are none ; and 

 there can therefore be no check but that of the inconvenience : as 

 some modern pedants write, they are governed by the principle of 

 utility. But while there is much convenience in acquiring the 

 coveted property, there is no counterbalancing evil : the society 

 suffers nothing, while many or all may gain. The case of a wreck 

 on our own shores is not essentially different: the resemblance to 

 an enemy's town subjected to plunder is still more perfect. The 

 thefts of savages are a warfare on property which seems placed in 

 their power; it has been open warfare and bloodshed whenever 

 they have dared ; and when too feeble, it is such plunder as is 

 attainable, without hazard, and by whatever dexterity. That 



