328 : Timehri. 
years of the other that their high birth-rate and low death-rate are an 
index of a very satisfactory general condition, and that not only are 
regular marriages much more numerous than formerly but that their 
fidelity to their marria ee vow is at least as good as that of any other 
class of our population. On_ better acquaintance they prove to be 
strangely different from that uniformity of feature and demeanour which 
is a stranger's first impression. The jovial reunion at dusk in each 
house is one of the most startling of these disillusionments. 
The evening meal is finished and every hammock is slung; the fire 
smokes slowly ‘and your tobacco is shared by men and w omen alike. 
Your arrival, appearance and treatment of the sick is discussed with the 
various events of the day, and each point is repeated by the audience 
with comments and laughter open and full-throated, stories are told 
translated and written down and various questions are asked and 
answered with no reserve or shyness or convention, but with a simple 
politeness and respect which is quite charming and delightful. Soon one 
recognises that in feature and in personal character and disposition they 
have their individuating notes and that you have to deal with the honest 
man and the cheat, the sober matron and her antithesis and even with the 
shrew, the drunkard and the idler and the strong and willing worker and 
the faithful servant ; the last will never become insolent or presuming 
but still may be treated as a trusted friend. They make up a society 
complex here as elsewhere but with a net result which if wanting in some 
of the conventions of civilization is not so deprived of its essentials as 
are districts I have known in Lombard street, in Charlestown, and in 
Liverpool. 
They are acute judges of character and a new-comer in authority is 
carefully inspected and discussed, his tendencies are at once marked 
and he falls at once into his place in the economy of the district. The 
single man will be tempted in the wilderness, and to their honour be it 
said that some have not been found wanting and have earned the respect 
of the Indian by their justice and fair dealing and have attracted to 
themselves the willing worker and the strong arm; and such men haye 
found the Indian friendly and faithful. But once one placed in authority 
shows in himself thriftlessness or weakness of character, or a tendeney to 
stray from the paths of sobriety or virtue, the true man will retire and 
another class will appear, opportunities will be deliberately placed 
in the poor fellow’s way. He will be welcomed at dances and 
drinking sprees at which half-bred members of other races will be partici- 
pants. These will gradually enclose him in a ring-fence of sycophants and 
cheats; his crops will be stolen and even his pockets picked ; advances 
will be claimed and never redeemed by work and he will be 
reported by his tempters themselves to Protector and Missionary and his 
accomplices will pose as injured innocents, and though he will eseape 
police court proceedings for his breaches of law on account of the 
unreliable character and shifty evidence of his accusers, his employers 
will find in his neglected work and dissipated stores and funds an 
