MENTAL CONDITION OF INDIANS 327 



the Indians who live near the towns. I could not help 

 contrasting their well-fed condition, and the signs of 

 orderly, industrious habits, with the poverty and laziness 

 of the semi-civilized people of Altar do Chao. I do not 

 think that the introduction of liquors has been the cause 

 of much harm to the Brazilian Indian. He has his 

 drinking bout now and then, like the common working 

 people of other countries. It was his habit in his original 

 state, before Europeans visited his country ; but he is 

 always ashamed of it afterwards, and remains sober 

 during the pretty long intervals. The harsh, slave- 

 driving practices of the Portuguese and their descendants 

 have been the greatest curses to the Indians ; the Mun- 

 durucus of the Cupari, however, have been now for many 

 years protected against ill-treatment. This is one of the 

 good services rendered by the missionaries, who take 

 care that the Brazilian laws in favour of the aborigines 

 shall be respected by the brutal and unprincipled traders 

 who go amongst them. I think no Indians could be in 

 a happier position than these simple, peaceful and friendly 

 people on the banks of the Cupari. The members of each 

 family live together, and seem to be much attached to 

 each other ; and the authority of the chief is exercised 

 in the mildest manner. Perpetual summer reigns around 

 them ; the land is of the highest fertility, and a moderate 

 amount of light work produces them all the necessaries 

 of their simple life. It is difficult to get at their notions 

 on subjects that require a little abstract thought ; but 

 the mind of the Indian is in a very primitive condition. 

 I believe he thinks of nothing except the matters that 

 immediately concern his daily material wants. There is 

 an almost total absence of curiosity in his mental dis- 

 position, consequently he troubles himself very little 

 concerning the causes of the natural phenomena around 

 him. He has no idea of a Supreme Being ; but, at the 

 same time, he is free from revolting superstitions — his 

 religious notions going no farther than the belief in an 

 evil spirit, regarded merely as a kind of hobgoblin, who 

 is at the bottom of all his little failures, troubles in fishing, 

 hunting, and so forth. With so little mental activity, 

 and with feelings and passions slow of excitement, the 

 life of these people is naturally monotonous and dull, 

 and their virtues are, properly speaking, only negative ; 

 but the picture of harmless homely contentment they 



