294 PSYCHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION. [PAET II. 



influences all actions, and to a great extent perpetuates physical 

 and moral misery. Some are inclined to add a fourth motive 

 which actuates the uncultivated man the superstition peculiar 

 to an eudaemonistic religion ; but this group of efficient motives 

 belongs to the first class ; for it is clear that his physical well- 

 being alone influences his religious ideas, and secures their 

 power over him. 



The external life of uncultivated nations does not admit of a 

 description common to all, being different according to the 

 different circumstances producing it. Some of them are 

 hunters, others fishers, root diggers, berry collectors, or they 

 carry on these occupations alternately according to the seasons. 

 Dress, habitation, domestic furniture, arms, and the arts whicli 

 they exercise, all depend on their modes of life j but with 

 regard to their inner life, we find among them everywhere a 

 remarkable uniformity. There have been frequently assumed, 

 says Hugh Murray, 1 far greater diversities in the degrees of 

 cultivation among uncivilized nations than really exist; per- 

 manent differences have been described which are unimportant, 

 or do not exist at all. 



The individual character among uncivilized nations is not 

 so decided as among the cultivated. Want of self-control, 

 improvidence, intemperance, indolence combined with perse- 

 verance in the pursuit after actual necessaries, and ornament- 

 ation of the person, are general characters. 



Gluttony, drunkenness, and sexual excesses, are the most 

 generally spread vices. Next to licentious festivities, savage 

 passion is displayed in the chase. When there is abun- 

 ance of game, the hunter exhibits, like a soldier in battle, 

 the greatest rage ; he finds delight in killing and de- 

 stroying the game indiscriminately and uselessly. Hence 

 hunting tribes require a great space, and are frequently in 

 want, as they do not economize their provisions. The hun- 

 dredth part of the game killed by the Zulus, observes Dele- 

 gorgue, 2 would have been more than sufficient for him and 

 all his companions. There are peoples who suffer annu- 



1 "Enquiries respecting the Characters of Nations/' Edinb., 1808. 



2 Vol. i, p. 430. 



