248 MORAL CHARACTERS. 



scribed as characteristics of some of the eastern 

 Polynesian nations, the Torres Strait islanders were 

 of a cheerful disposition, readily engaging in sports 

 and amusement, and their curiosity was easily ex- 

 cited by anything interesting or uncommon. They 

 evinced also considerable perseverance both in their 

 efforts to gain information from us, or to impart 

 instruction to us respecting their language and other 

 matters. They did not exhibit either much cupidity 

 or great generosity, but were always ready to enter 

 into trade, and stood out for what they considered a 

 fair equivalent for their merchandise. They always 

 preferred useful articles to mere ornaments. The 

 conduct of old Duppa and the Murray islanders to 

 Ireland and D'Oyley, the survivors of the wreck 

 of the Charles Eaton, shewed great humanity, and 

 I have no doubt that in all places where Europeans 

 are known, they would have as fair a chance of good 

 treatment among Papuan nations as among any 

 other savage tribes. 



Australian race. — It is difficult to make any 

 generalization about the moral qualities of men in 

 so low a state of society as the Australians. Their 

 honesty results in great measure from there being- 

 few European articles for which they have any use ; 

 articles of food, or a knife, or a hatchet, are by no 

 means safe, where they can get at them. Of chastity 

 they have no idea, as a virtue; but the woman 

 being at all periods of life the property or slave of 

 some man, any infringement on that property is 



