1 1 8 The Descent of Man. Part 1 



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 

 practised by savages, 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 shews. As soon as a tribe has 

 a recognised 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 couruge, this quality has universally been placed 

 in the highest rank; and although in civilised countries a 

 good yet timid man may be far more useful to the community 

 than a brave one, we cannot help instinctively honouring the 

 latter above a coward, however benevolent. Prudence, on the 

 other hand, which does not concern the welfare of others, though 

 a very useful virtue, has never been highly esteemed. As no 

 man can practise the virtues necessary for the welfare of his 

 tribe without self-sacrifice, self-command, and the power of 

 endurance, these qualities have been at all times highly and 

 most justly valued. The American savage voluntarily submits 

 to the most horrid tortures without a groan, to prov£ and 

 strengthen his fortitude and courage; and we cannot help 

 admiring him, or even an Indian Fakir, who, from a foolish 

 religious motive, swings suspended by a hook buried in his 

 flesh. 



The other so called self-regarding virtues, which do not 

 obviously, though they may really, affect the welfare of the tribe, 

 have never been esteemed by savages, though now highly 

 appreciated by civilised nations. The greatest intemperance 



'' See, for instance, Mr. Hamilton's account of the KafBia, 'Anthto 

 pological Review,' 1870, \ xv. 



