8 S. E. Peal — Notes of a trip up the Dihing. [No. 1, 



cultivation, or warfare, and equally conspicuous is their incredible ignorance 

 of us and our power. 



When examined, however, this is to be expected frona their long tribal 

 isolations, which precludes the possibility of their gaining standards at all 

 capable of measuring us. They may see a good deal, and hear more, but 

 the power of realizing it is absent, they must judge of us, our works and 

 aims, by their own absurdly inadequate standards. This is a misfortune 

 for them, which we hitherto have only partly realized, and is the cause to 

 some extent of our failures in dealing with Hill savages, notably also do 

 we as yet fail to realize the danger (to us) of their ignorance. 



Anything which can remove this, now that we have settled as the 

 paramount power alongside them, should be welcome to both sides, and taken 

 in hand by us as a matter of state policy. 



Missionary effort, trade, or pure travel, are all means whereby know- 

 ledge of us may be steadily and safely extended. The first is specially 

 advantageous, and in most cases produces among savages such as these, the 

 happiest results. Its advantages immensely outweigh all attempts at 

 civilizing by Government in other directions, as secular schools, courts, 

 &c., — and is also much cheaper. Its effectiveness also is enhanced by the 

 fact that Missionary effort is often self-propagating, the desire is natural 

 among converts to extend to friends living in lawlessness and danger, their 

 own quietness and peace. As a means of weaning at least one generation 

 from their unruly habits, and bead-hunting propensities, ere we absorb 

 them as "subjects," this argument is of the utmost importance. Missionary 

 effort should precede by at least a generation, any attempts at settlement, 

 and taxation. 



Trade is undoubtedly one means of extending some knowledge of us, 

 but unfortunately developes qualities of a lower order. The desire to 

 cheat is innate, and both the desire and opportunities to steal, are often 

 irresistible. Thus one of our difficulties with these Hill men is fostered 

 and developed as time goes on, excellence in cunning ensuring success ; 

 thus the Missionary can do more good than trade. 



The usual result of all attempts to civilize the unsophisticated savage 

 right off is to exterminate him, there is need of an intermediate stage of 

 some duration in which our civilized stimulants, and smartness are not 

 experienced. A stage during which the savage surroundings and traditions 

 can die down, if not die out, and render the new generation free to see, 

 and adopt, what is advantageous. 



Freedom to adopt our vices is hurtful, and our later civilization should 

 so to speak be administered by a spoon. Unless we turn attention to these 

 matters we shall find that the growth of " intelligence" among these Hill 

 savages is also a growth in our difficulties in dealing with them. 



