200 Manners and Customs of the Australian Natives, 



are amongst tlie aborigines looked upon as the higliest 

 virtues of which they can boast^ and of which they are 

 the most proud. It has been said that the aborigines of 

 the country are possessed of a cowardly disposition, and it 

 may be that, when opposed to the whites, who are better 

 armed and generally mounted, they have been found wanting 

 in courage. But it is impossible for any one who has been 

 an eye-witness to one of their own fights, to form such an 

 opinion ; on the contrary, he will be forced to confess that^ 

 when stirred up by passion, they will brave any danger. 

 They are extremely sensitive upon this point, and look upon 

 being called a coward as the greatest insult that can be 

 offered. That little blood is spilled in these aboriginal con- 

 tests, is to be ascribed either to their skill, or to the fact that 

 they are by no means bloodthirsty. Although, on the one 

 side, they possess a fierce and hostile spirit, still, on the 

 other, it must be observed that they are capable of the more 

 noble feelings of pity and compassion. This is called forth 

 by a dangerous wound, as also by a severe sickness, but still 

 clearer is it observed at and after the death of a friend. On 

 such occasions they are accustomed, and particularly the 

 female sex, to assemble and to weep bitterly. The loud la- 

 mentations to which they give vent upon the death of a rela- 

 tion or friend may perhaps be a custom inherited from their 

 forefathers, for they always weep together, and at the same 

 time. They also employ foreign means to produce tears. 

 They rub the eyes and scratch the nose, if their own frame 

 of mind should not be sufficiently sorrowful, or if the example 

 of others should fail to produce genuine tears. Their weep- 

 ing and groans at the commencement of a lamentation seem 

 to be somewhat formal and forced, and thus the suspicion 

 arises that they seem more sorrowful than is warranted by 

 their true feelings. Nevertheless, the Rev. Mr. Schurmann 

 believes that the aborigines feel deeply and mourn heartily 

 the death of a friend, upon the following grounds, viz. : — 

 For weeks and months they bemoan their deaths, especially 

 at eventime, when they are assembled for rest, and when 

 their hearts and minds are open to the infl\jences of sorrow 

 and grief for the departed friend. One of them is accustomed 

 to break out suddenly into a long, protracted, plaintive tone, 

 and gradually his example is followed by the others. After 

 this lamentation, a profound silence is observed, and in truth 

 their behaviour is such as belongs to persons oppressed by 

 great grief. For years after the death of a friend, on no occa- 



