PREFACE. 



as of the languages of the neighbouring tribes ; and so proud and jealous were 

 they of the honour, that, by agreement among themselves, each was allotted a fair 

 proportion of questions to answer and of words to translate ; and if levity was 

 shown by any individual present who could not always resist a pun on the word 

 in question, the sedate old chief, Kaawirn Kuunawarn, at once repi'oved the wag, 

 and restored order and attention to the business on hand. 



During this tedious process, occupying several years in its accomplishment, 

 I found my jjrevious good opinion of the natives fell far short of their merits. 

 Their general information and knowledge of several distinct dialects — in some 

 instances four, besides fair English — gratified as well as sui'prised me, and 

 naturally suggested a comparison between them and the lower classes of white 

 men. Indeed, it is very questionable if even those who belong to what is called 

 the middle class, notwithstanding their advantages of education, know as mush 

 of their own laws, of natural history, and of the nomenclature of the heavenly 

 bodies, as the aborigines do of their laws and of natural objects. 



In recording my admiration of the general character of the aboi'igLnes, no 

 attempt is made to palliate what may appear to us to be objectionable customs 

 common to savages in nearly every part of the globe ; but it may be truly said 

 of them, that, with the exception of the low estimate they naturally place on 

 life, their moral character and modesty — all things considered — compare favourably 

 with those of the most highly cultivated communities of Europe. People seeing 

 only the miserable remnants to be met with about the white man's grog-shop 

 may be inclined to doubt this ; but if these doubters were to be brought into 

 close communication with the aborigines away from the means of intoxication) 

 and were to listen to their guileless conversation, their humour and wit, and 

 their expressions of honour and affection for one another, those who are disposed 

 to look upon them as scarcely human would be compelled to admit that in 

 general intelligence, common sense, integrity, and the absence of anything 

 repulsive in their conduct, they are at least equal, if not superior, to the general 

 run of white men. It must be borne in mind, also, that many of their present 

 vices were introduced by the white man, whose contact with them has increased 

 their degradation, and will no doubt ultimately lead to their extinction. 



And even, in censuring customs and practices which we may regard as 

 repugnant to our notions and usages, we should bear in mind that these may 

 appear right and virtuous from the stand-point of the aborigines, and that they 

 have received the sanction of use and wont for many ages. If our habits, 



