193 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



Master of his cvn actions, and never wishing' 

 to moderate his passions, the spirit of freedom 

 and independence took tlie entire possession of 

 his soul. Moved by and perpetually conscious 

 of this independent spirit, he acted in circum- 

 stances of distress and danjjer, vvith amazing: 

 force and mai^nanimit}- of mind. But that 

 which the savage esteemed his greatest glory 

 and highest digniij,', was iiis fortitude and bra- 

 very. To bear hardsliip, to endure sufiering, 

 to be unmoved in the midst cf torment, and to 

 rise superior to any thing that could be laid up- 

 on him y this, was the highest honour, and the 

 noblest attainment of the \rariior. And in tliis, 

 it is not to be denied, that the human niind at- 

 tained' in the savage state, a fortitude and a mag- 

 nanimity that it does not attain, amidst the re- 

 finements, customs, and maxims of polished na- 

 tions. 



Amazed at the firmmess and fortitude, v/hich 

 the savage displays in the most dreadful of all 

 situations, several philosophers have aimed to 

 discover some apathy, some natural defect, or 

 w^ant of sensibility in his frame, which qualified 

 him to bear pain with less feeling, and with 

 more fortitude, than other micn. There is no 

 such defect in his constitution. His magna- 

 nimity arises from a sense and principle cf hon- 

 our. This is the first principle he is taught ; 

 the sole object of his education, profession, and 

 pursuit. Amidst the rudeness and hardihood 

 of the savage state, this principle acts with more 

 force and vigour upon the human mind, than 

 it ever acquires amidst the refirfemcnts and 

 softness of a more polished state of society. 



