IN TIMOR-LAUT. 



319 



we began to ask ourselves, first, Can such artistically developed 

 people be savages? — and, next, the more difficult question, 

 What is a savage? 



The Tenimberese are very independent in character ; " every 

 man his own master " is their motto. Though they have an 

 Orang Kaya or Chief, his voice has but little more influence 

 than any other full-aged man's. The " old men's " opinion has 

 some weight with the younger men, but every man speaks out 



HOUSE IK TIMOB-LACT, WITH HOOF REMOVED TO SHOW THE INTERIOR. 



his mind boldly and fearlessly. When any serious deliberation 

 is going on, the whole community crowds round the assembly 

 room, the women even taking part, and expressing freely and 

 without offence their opinions. The voice of the majority is 

 the law of their community. 



Their moral characteristics are such as might be expected 

 from a rude people subject to no restraint ; they are sensual, 

 though no immorality in their actions or in their carvings 

 ever comes to the public gaze. They are essentially selfish and 



