132 



From this survey of the principal circumstances of savage 

 life, under every climate of the habitable globe, I apprehend 

 it is sufficiently apparent, that it is far indeed from being pro- 

 ductive even of that approximation to happiness which man- 

 kind is capable of attaining. To such mental pleasures as 

 are referable to intellect, tnemori/ or imagination, savages have 

 no pretence. And as those sources of pleasure are unpro- 

 ductive of pain, here is one great deficit in the scale of hap- 

 piness without any counterpoise of pain. With respect to 

 the pleasures and pains resulting from affectibilitij they feel 

 no pleasing emotions but the expectation of meeting their prey, 

 and joy on obtaining it; but daily experience vexation irom 

 the miseries they endure, and rage and indignation at supa 

 posed aflVonts from their hrethern. As to desires, they are 

 insensible to any but such as are purely instinctive, Most of 

 them court distinction, either by their riches, when they pos- 

 sess any, or skill in hunting, or valour in war ; but as it is 

 impossible that all should obtain distinction, each village is 

 filled with distrust, jealousy and secret ambushes.* They 

 are universall}' devoid of gratitude; their chief amusement is 

 dancing, accompanied with drums and singing. But the pas- 

 sion whose gratification yields them the highest pleasure is that 

 of revenge ; on exposing their enemies to the most excruciat- 

 ing 



• Volney, 397 ami 427. To these odious passions the Hottentots and Laplanders are 

 strangers. 



