18 SKETCH OF THE BOOTHIANS. 



been noticed, among their other faults. I must not be quite sure 

 that we were not inclined to see every thing here in the most 

 favourable light: but while admitting that every man wished to 

 possess, by purchase, whatever his neighbour had obtained, we did 

 not observe any workings of that bad passion in this desire. 



We did not observe any propensity to falsehood, or disposition 

 to deceive ; and, on every occasion, there seemed a desire to com- 

 municate all the information in their power, while, as far as we 

 examined, this also proved correct. It was on the same principle, 

 that we could always trust their promises ; there was the " point of 

 honour" engaged ; and on the only occasion on which they broke 

 one, in not keeping an appointment as guides, they long after 

 accused themselves of " being very bad" for not giving notice; 

 though, to have done so, would have been to lose a day of their 

 hunting when they were without provisions. 



Such is the little we could discover or infer respecting the moral 

 character of these people. It ought not to be an unexpected one, 

 considering the mild dispositions of this race in general, and the 

 circumstances in which they are placed in this narrow community 

 and district. May I not say that it is a good one, and that the man 

 of these lands may be considered a " virtuous savage ?" May I ask 

 where are the civilized communities in which there is a more 

 favourable balance of the vices and virtues ? since it is thus, and 

 not by the varied action of either, that this question must be judged. 

 This at least I may say, that the all-wise and beneficent Creator 

 has not neglected this race, and that in giving them the means of 

 animal happiness united to the desires which prefer those means to 



