MORAL CHARACTERS. 24<7 



Ellis discovered some traces of the practice having 

 formerlv existed in the Sandwich Islands and Tahiti, 

 although the natives remembered nothing of it, and 

 were horror-struck at the mention of it. 



Papuan race. — Most of the accounts of these 

 people describe their honesty as superior to that of 

 the Polynesian race, and they seem to be less 

 eagerly addicted to pilfering ; they are, however, 

 commonly much more hostile and ferocious, some- 

 times waging open warfare, sometimes having re- 

 course to the grossest treachery. I do not know 

 that in this latter respect they are often to be 

 blamed, for their hostility is but the natural defence 

 of their country against foreign invaders, and their 

 treachery the usual method of warfare among savage 

 nations. In one respect they seem to be most strik- 

 ingly contrasted with the Polynesian race, namely, 

 in the reserve and chastity of their women towards 

 strangers, but whether their manners are as strict 

 among themselves, or would be found to continue so 

 to Europeans on a longer acquaintance, may perhaps 

 be doubted. As far as our personal observation 

 went they are to be mentioned honourably for their 

 treatment of their women. We never among the 

 Torres Strait islanders saw a woman beaten or 

 abused ; and in all the harder kinds of work the 

 men appeared to take their fair share of labour. 

 Their care and affection for their children seemed 

 always great. Although wanting in the engaging 

 liveliness and fascinating manners which are de- 



