232 EQUALITY AND CIVILISATION, [chap. x. 



at it as a cause or a consequence, the more civilised always 

 have the most artificial governments. For instance, the 

 inhabitants of Otahelte, who, when first discovered, were 

 governed by hereditary kings, had arrived at a far higher 

 grade than another branch of the same people, the New 

 Zealanders — who, although benefited by being compelled 

 to turn their attention to agriculture, were republicans in 

 the most absolute sense. In Tierra del Fuego, until some 

 chief shall arise with power sufficient to secure any acquired 

 advantage, such as the domesticated animals, it seems 

 scarcely possible that the political state of the country can 

 be improved. At present, even a piece of cloth given to one 

 is torn into shreds and distributed ; and no one individual 

 becomes richer than another. On the other hand, it is 

 difficult to understand how a chief can arise till there is 

 property of some sort by which he might manifest his 

 superiority and increase his power. 



I believe, in this extreme part of South America, man 

 exists in a lower state of improvement than in any other 

 part of the world. The South Sea Islanders of the two 

 races inhabiting the Pacific are comparatively civilised. The 

 Esquimaux, in his subterranean hut, enjoys some of the 

 comforts of life, and in his canoe, when fully equipped, 

 manifests much skill. Some of the tribes of Southern Africa, 

 prowling about in search of roots, and living concealed on 

 the wild and arid plains, are sufficiently wretched. The 

 Australian, in the simplicity of the arts of life, comes nearest 

 the Fuegian ; he can, however, boast of his boomerang, his 

 spear and throwing-stick, his method of climbing trees, of 

 tracking animals, and of hunting. Although the Australian 

 may be superior in acquirements, it by no means follows 

 that he is likewise superior in mental capacity ; indeed, from 

 what I saw of the Fuegians when on board, and from what 

 I have read of the Australians, I should think the case was 

 exactly the reverse. 



