MORAL SENSE. 133 



considered as a crime,* but rather, from the courage dis- 

 played, as an honorable act; and it is still practiced by some 

 semi-civilized and savage nations without reproach, for it 

 does not obviously concern others of the tribe. It has 

 been recorded that an Indian Thug conscientiously regret- 

 ted that he had not robbed and strangled as many trav- 

 elers as did his father before him. In a rude state of 

 civilization the robbery of strangers is, indeed, generally 

 considered as honorable. 



Slavery, although in some ways beneficial during ancient 

 times, t is a great crime; yet it was not so regarded until 

 quite recently, even by the most civilized nations. And 

 this was especially the case, because the slaves belonged in 

 general to a race different from that of their masters. As 

 barbarians do not regard the opinions of their women, 

 wives are commonly treated like slaves. Most savages are 

 utterly indifferent to the sufferings of strangers, or even 

 delight in witnessing them. It well known that the women 

 and children of the Xorth American Indians aided in tor- 

 turing their enemies. Some savages take a horrid pleas- 

 ure in cruelty to animals, J and humanity is an unknown 

 virtue. Nevertheless, besides the family affections, kind- 

 ness is common, especially during sickness, between the 

 members of the same tribe, and is sometimes extended 

 beyond these limits. Mungo Park's touching account of 

 the kindness of the negro women of the interior to him 

 is well known. Many instances could be given of the noble 

 fidelily of savages toward each other, but not to strangers; 

 common experience justifies the maxim of the Spainard. 

 "Never, never trust an Indian.'' There cannot be fidelity 

 without truth ; and this fundamental virtue is not rare 

 between the members of the same tribe; thus Mungo Park 



*See the very interesting discussion on Suicide in Lecky's "Hist- 

 ory of European Morals," vol. i, 1869, p. 223. With respect to sav- 

 ages, Mr. Winwood Reade informs me that the negroes of West 

 Africa often commit suicide. It is well known how common it was 

 among the miserable Aborigines of South America after the Spanish 

 conquest. For New Zealand, see the voyage of the "Novara," and 

 for the Aleutian Islands, Miiller, as quoted by Houzeau, " Les 

 Facultes Mentales," etc., tom. ii, p. 136. 



t See Mr. Bagehot, "Physics and Politics," 1872, p. 72. 



if See, for instance, Mr. Hamilton's account of the Kaffirs, "An- 

 thropological Review," 1870, p. 15. 



