CHRISTIANISING THE NATIVES. I 20 



In the wilds of Canada and the Maritime 

 Provinces there is a little rodent that makes a noise 

 similar to the clanking of a chain. Hence it is 

 called the "chain mouse." While camped out on 

 the great and grand Western Continent, when in 

 pursuit of moose and caribou, I had often heard it, 

 but long was ignorant of what produced the strange 

 sound. At length I discovered it to be an insi^- 

 nificant — as far as size is concerned — rodent. Here 

 I frequently hear an identical metallic clink. I have 

 not yet succeeded in capturing the producer, but 

 have little doubt but that it is a relative of the family 

 across the Atlantic. For the study of natural history 

 I think there is no land existing, to be compared to 

 tropical Africa, yet, strange to say, how few persons, 

 thoroughly conversant with this fascinating science, 

 visit it. It cannot be the distance that prevents 

 their going there ; probably it is the danger that is 

 supposed to beset the European as soon as he 

 passes beyond the boundaries of civilisation. For 

 my part I think these dangers overrated, for I would 

 far sooner trust myself among the African heathen 

 than I would place myself in the power of home- 

 bred roughs. 



Making Christians of these aborigines certainly 

 has the immediate effect of spoiling and injuring 

 them, for it causes them to become dishonest, ape 

 the vices of the white man, and eventually unhappy 

 and discontented with their lot. Whatever the 



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