114 THE DESCENT OP MAN. 



the courage displayed, as an honorable act; and it is still prac- 

 ticed by some semi-civilized and savage nations without reproach, 

 for it does not obviously concern others of the tribe. It has been 

 recorded that an Indian Thug conscientiously regretted that he 

 had not robbed and strangled as many travelers as did his father 

 before him. In a rude state of civilization the robbery of strang- 

 ers is, indeed, generally considered as honorable. 



Slavery, although in some ways beneficial during ancient 

 times," is a great crime; yet it was not so regarded until quite 

 recently, even by the most civilized nations. And this was espe- 

 cially the case, because the slaves belonged in general to a race 

 different from that of their masters. As barbarians do not regard 

 the opinion of their women, wives are commonly treated like 

 slaves. Most savages are utterly indifferent to the sufferings of 

 strangers, or even delight in witnessing them. It is well known 

 that the women and children of the North-American Indians 

 aided in torturing their enemies. Some savages take a horrid 

 pleasure in cruelty to animals,"'* and humanity is an unknown 

 virtue. Nevertheless, besides the family affections, kindness is 

 common, especially during sickness, between the members of 

 the same tribe, and is sometimes extended beyond these limits. 

 Mungo Park's touching account of the kindness of the negro 

 women of the interior to him is well known. Many instances 

 could be given of the noble fidelity of savages towards each other, 

 but not to strangers; common experience justifies the maxim 

 of the Spaniard, "Never, never trust an Indian." There cannot 

 be fidelity without truth; and this fundamental virtue is not 

 rare between the members of the same tribe: thus Mungo" Park 

 heard the negro women teaching their young children to love 

 the truth. This, again, is one of the virtues which becomes so 

 deeply rooted in the mind, that it is sometimes practiced by sav- 

 ages, even at a high cost, towards strangers; but to lie to your 

 enemy has rarely been thought a sin, as the history of modern 

 diplomacy too plainly shows. As soon as a tribe has a recognized 

 leader, disobedience becomes a crime, and even abject submission 

 is looked at as a sacred virtue. 



As during rude times no man can be useful or faithful to his 

 tribe without courage, this quality has universally been placed 

 in the highest rank; and although in civilized countries a good 

 yet timid man may be far more useful to the community than a 

 brave one, we cannot help instinctively honoring the latter above 



For New Zealand, see the voyage ot the "Novara," and for the Aleoi- 

 tlan Islands, Muller, as quoted by Houzeau, 'Lea Facultes Mentales,' 

 &c., torn. ii. p. 136. 



^* See Mr. Bagehot, 'Physics and Politics,' 1872, p. 72. 



^ See, for instance, Mr. Hamilton's account of the Kaffirs, 'Anthro- 

 pological Review,' 1870, p. xv. 



