Moral and intellectual qualities. 413 



the quadrupeds and other animals are deficient neither in 

 size nor vigour is now well-known ; and though the fables 

 respecting the gigantic stature of the Patagonians have pas- 

 sed away, they still remain superior in size to any Asiatic or 

 European race of men. There are some unconquered tribes 

 equally conspicuous for the nobler attributes of our nature. 

 The Araucans of Chili have successfully maintained their 

 independence against all the attacks of the Spaniards ; and 

 are well known in Europe by the epic poem of Erctlla, 

 in which these contests are celebrated. In the interesting 

 portrait which Molina has lately drawn of their character, 

 manners, customs, government, and history, we recognize 

 in many points a strong resemblance to the ancient Germans, 

 and a pleasing proof that all the natives of this new world 

 are not doomed to mental inferiority. 



" The moral qualities of the Araucans,'' says Molina, 

 " are proportioned to their physical endowments ; they are 

 intrepid, animated, ardent, patient in enduring fatigue, ever 

 ready to sacrifice their lives in the service of their country ; 

 enthusiastic lovers of liberty, which they consider as an 

 essential constituent of their existence ; jealous of their 

 honour; courteous, hospitable, faithful to their engagements, 

 grateful for services rendered them, and generous and hu- 

 mane towards the vanquished *." 



The ninety t years' struggle which they maintained 

 against the Spaniards, and by which they at last successfully 

 established their independence, is more remarkable for its 

 duration, for acts of desperate resolution and devotion to the 

 great cause of liberty, and traits of individual heroism, than 

 the contests between the Dutch and the Spaniards, the Swiss 

 and the Austrians, or any ancient or modern analogous 

 European case. 



In the savage tribes of North America we often meet 

 with lofty sentiments of independence, ardent courage, and 



* Civil History of Chili, p. 59. Their strict integrity, and high sense of 

 honour in commercial dealings, are confirmed by the testimony of Ulloa ; 

 Travels in South Americay v. ii. p. 276. 



f Ibid. p. 291. 



