Memoranda relative to three Andamanese. 



367 



1864.] 



In their visits to me J used to remark that Crusoe on first arriving 

 would shout out something in his loud harsh voice. It occurred so 

 often, that I am induced to think the act analogous to a custom in 

 some parts of Ireland amongst the peasantry, where a man on entering 

 a cottage calls out " Good luck to all here" — I have never been able 

 to ascertain what it was that Crusoe said on these occasions. 



As I before remarked, these people appeared to have no proper 

 names. When one called the other, it was with a shout of " Hy" 

 much as is used in bailing a cabstand. But occasionally they named 

 each other Crusoe and Friday, and invariably spoke of their country 

 as Blair. They learnt my name, but usually addressed me as " Ma-ey, 

 (Oh man) ; nevertheless it is difficult to conceive how any community 

 can carry on intercourse without the aid of proper names both to 

 persons and places, and I am not aware that such a strange deficiency 

 has been observed in the language of any other tribe, however savage. 



Although most pertinacious beggars, and glad to take anything 

 offered them, their cupidity was chiefly shown for iron, of which they 

 took with them from Maulmein, a large quantity in the shape of knives, 

 forks, das, or Burmese choppers, nails, scissors, hammers, and needles. 

 They frequently sat for hours watching the blacksmiths at work, and 

 also learnt to ply the needle with some skill and to use scissors. As 

 they acquired a strong liking for clothing, it is possible they will not 

 willingly return to their old habits of nudity, and so will find their 

 sartorial accomplishments of advantage. Although I procured them 

 a quantity of the coarse kind of tackle used for sea-angling, they took 

 no interest in its use ; which is the more singular, as in their native 

 state they are most expert fishermen, especially in spearing fish. 



Friday procured a bow and some arrows, with which I met him 

 one day armed, marching up the street at the head of a posse of idle 

 boys : but I never had an opportunity of witnessing his skill in 

 archery. He had seen guns fired but never attempted using one 

 himself. They were both expert swimmers, their mode of progression 

 being with the arms and legs alternately, the former under water : 

 not striking out like an Englishman, nor throwing one arm out after 

 another like the generality of continental Europeans. They could 

 manage a Burmese canoe with ease : but never occupied themselves 

 with paddling about for amusement. They evinced great pleasure 

 in making short trips into the interior with their conductor, visiting 



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