NATIVE DRAWINGS. 171 



human figures, the animals, the birds, the weapons, 

 the domestic implements, the scenes of savage life — 

 on the curious frame of mind that could induce these 

 uncultivated people to repair, perhaps at stated 

 seasons of the year, to this lonely picture gallery, 

 surrounded by the ocean-wave, to adanre and add 

 to the productions of their forefathers. No doubt 

 they expended on their works of art as much patience 

 and labour and enthusiasm as ever was exhibited 

 by a Raphael or a Michael Angelo in adorning the 

 walls of St. Peter or the Vatican ; and perhaps the 

 admiration and applause of their fellow-countrymen 

 imparted as much pleasure to their minds as the 

 patronage of popes and princes, and the laudation 

 of the civilized world, to the great masters of Italy. 

 There is in the human mind an irresistible tendency 

 to indulge in a sort of minor creation — to tread 

 humbly in the footsteps of the Maker — to reproduce 

 the images that revolve within it, and to form, from 

 its own ideas, a mimic representation of the actual 

 world. This is the source of all art and all poetry; 

 — of every thing, in fact, which tends to adorn and 

 refine our nature. It is this uncontrollable de- 

 sire to work on and fashion the rough materials that 

 lie under our hands that gives the first impulse to 

 civilization, and impels us onward in the progress 



G7. A kangaroo. 



7 1 . Appears to be a bird of prey, having seized upon a kangaroo- 

 rat. 

 32. Shark and pilot fish. 



