410 DIFFERENCES IN 



that they are quite insensible to distinctions of right and 

 wrong, destitute of religion, without any idea of a Supreme 

 Being, and with the feeblest notion, if there be any at all? 

 of a future state, the revolting picture is cemplete in all its 

 features * . What an afflicting contrast does the melan- 

 choly truth of this description form to the eloquent but delu- 

 sive declamations of Rousseau on the prerogatives of natu- 

 ral man, and his advantages over his civilized brethren ! 



The same general character, with some softening, and 

 some modifications, is applicable to most of the native Ame- 

 ricans, of the Africans, and of the Mongolian nations of Asia ; 

 to the Malays, and the greater part of the inhabitants of the 

 numerous islands scattered in the ocean between Asia and 

 America. In the most authentic descriptions, we every- 

 where find proofs of astonishing insensibility to the pains 

 and joys of others, even their nearest relations ; inflexible 

 cruelty, selfishness, and disposition to cheat ; a want of all 

 sympathetic impulses and feelings : the most brutal apathy and 

 indolence, unless roused by the pressure of actual physical 

 want, or stimulated by the desire of revenge and the thirst of 

 blood. Their barbarous treatment of women, the indiscri- 

 minate and unrelenting destruction of their warfare, the in- 



* Mr. Collins, who had ample oppnriunities of observing this race, and 

 who seems to have contemplated them with an unprejudiced mind, says, " I 

 am certain that they do not worship sun, moon, or stars ; that, however ne- 

 cessary fire may be to them, it is not an object of adoration ; neither have they 

 any respect for any beast, bird, or fish. I never could discover any object, 

 either substantial or imaginary, that impelled them to the commission of 

 good actions, or deterred them from the perpetration of what we deem 

 crimes. There indeed existed among them some idea of a future state ; but 

 Hot connected in any wise with religion ; for it had no influence whatever 

 on their lives and actions." Lib. cit. p. 54T. Whether they had any know- 

 ledge of right and wrong, was doubtful. They had words for good and bad, 

 as applied to useful or hurtful objects. The sting-ray, which they never ate, 

 was bad ; the kangaroo good. Their enemies were bad; their friends good ; 

 cannibalism was bad: when our people were punished for ill-treating tl»em, 

 it was good. " Midnight murders, though frequently practised among them, 

 whenever revenge or passion were uppermost, they reprobated ; but ap- 

 plauded acts of kindness and generosity, for of both these they were capable." 

 ibid. 549. 



