335 



CHAPTEE XL 



MODERN SAVAGES. 



i LTHOUGH our knowledge of ancient times has of 

 JLX late years greatly increased, it is still very imperfect, 

 and we cannot afford to neglect any possible source of in- 

 formation. It is evident that history cannot throw much 

 light on the early condition of man, because the discovery 

 or, to speak more correctly, the use of metal has in 

 all cases preceded that of writing. Even as regards the 

 Age of Bronze we derive little information from it, and 

 although, as we have seen, the Age of Stone is vaguely 

 alluded to in the earliest European writers, their statements 

 have generally been looked upon as imaginative rather than 

 historical ; and are, indeed, confined to a mere mention of 

 the fact that there was a time when metal was unknown. 



JsTor will tradition supply the place of history. At best it 

 is untrustworthy and short-lived. Thus, in 1770 the New 

 Zealanders had no recollection of Tasman's visit.* Yet this 

 took place in 1643, less than 130 years before, and must have 

 been to them an event of the greatest possible importance 

 and interest. In the same way the North American Indians 

 soon lost all tradition of De Soto's expedition, although 

 " by its striking incidents it was so well suited to impress the 

 Indian mind." f 



* Cook's First Voyage round the World. Hawkes worth's Voyages, vol. ii. p. 388. 

 f Schoolcraft's Indian Tribes, vol. ii., p. xii. 



