Chap. L] THE INDIAN CHARACTER. 41 



ly awake. The conjunction of greatness and little- 

 ness, meanness and pride, is older than the days of 

 the patriarchs ; and such antiquated phenomena, 

 displayed under a new form in the unreflecting, un- 

 disciplined mind of a savage, call for no special 

 Avonder, but should rather be classed with the other 

 enigmas of the fathomless human heart. The dis- 

 secting knife of a Hochefoucault might lay bare 

 matters of no less curious observation in the breast 

 of every man. 



Nature has stamped the Indian with a hard and 

 stern physiognomy. Ambition, revenge, envy, jeal- 

 ousy, are his ruling passions ; and his cold temper- 

 ament is little exposed to those effeminate vices 

 which are the bane of milder races. With him 

 revenge is an overpowering instinct ; nay, more, it 

 is a point of honor and a duty. His pride sets all 

 language at defiance. He loathes the thought of 

 coercion ; and few of his race have ever stooped to 

 discharge a menial office. A wild love of liberty, 

 an utter intolerance of control, lie at the basis of 

 his character, and fire his whole existence. Yet, 

 in spite of this haughty independence, he is a de- 

 vout hero-worshipper ; and high achievement in 

 war or policy touches a chord to which his nature 

 never fails to respond. He looks up with admiring 

 reverence to the sages and heroes of his tribe ; and 

 it is this principle, joined to the respect for age 

 springing from the patriarchal element in his 

 social system, which, beyond all others, contributes 

 union and harmony to the erratic members of an 

 Indian community. With him the love of glory 



