192 NATUR.\L AND CIVIL 



customs and maxims of polished societies, with 

 all the aid of their laws and religion, have not 

 as yet been able to give a due regulation or 

 restraint to these passions. In many cases, an 

 offended individual cannot be made to believe, 

 but what it is right and best for him, to be the 

 Judge and the avenger of his own injuries ; and 

 that it is the mark of meanness, to leave it to 

 the laws of society, to make a proper retaliation 

 for the wrongs he has received. Higher at- 

 tainments must yet be made in the state of so- 

 ciety, before an adequate restraint and regula- 

 tion will be found for these passions. In the 

 breast of a savage, they rage without any con- 

 troul : Instead of being taught any restraint, the 

 young savage is taught in early life, to gratify 

 and indulge them. The whole force of educa- 

 tion, example, custom, habit and manner of 

 living, operate with a decisive influence, to give 

 them new force and vigour. By the govern- 

 ment of the tribe, the revenge of injuries is 

 left in the hands of every individual ; iuid to be 

 patient and moderate, is the highest mark of 

 'meanness and want of spirit. To give further 

 force to the spirit of vengeance, all the maxims 

 and customs of war, have placed the point of 

 honour, in rendering the spirit of revenge, im- 

 placable, unabating, and such as never can be 

 satisfied, subdued or lost. Aided by all these 

 motives and considerations, anger and revenge, 

 become fierce,*brutal, horrid, bloody, and impla. 

 cable passions, in the breast of the savage : 

 More like the destructive rage of a beast of 

 prey, than like a passion in the heart of a human 

 beina-o The effect, is a barbarous and unre* 



