101 



Cordwas Voyage ic (he Sir ait of Magellan, 



smallest dispute, nor the faintest symptoms of anger or rcveng-e, 

 h\\ these virtues may, however, be tlie natural effect of the su- 

 preme indolence and laziness which predominate in their hearts ; 

 and which must, no doubt, account for tlic inconsiderable ad- 

 vances they have made in society and civilization. 



Whether or not this evil is more to be considered than the ami- 

 cable enjoyment of peace and<:oncord, which is its consecjuence, 

 is a question which we leave to the decision ol the philosopher. 



Curiosity, which seems to be an essential and universal cha- 

 racteristic of the human race, has not hitherto made any pro- 

 j^ress in the hearts of the inhabitants of the Strait of Magellan.* 

 Nothing we presented to their view excited in them the feeblest 

 admiration or wonder, nor even a desire to be better acquainted 

 witi) it. In order to be capable of admiring the productions of 

 art, it is indispensable to possess, at least, dementary ideas of 

 these productions; but these men beheld the most delicate ajid 

 complicated works of men as they do the laws and phenomena 

 of nature itself ; and made no difference, in their estimation, be- 

 tween the composition of the mast of our frigate, and the natu- 

 ral trees which spring np in their forests. Tire haughty Eu- 

 ropean, who, after exposing himself to numberless dangers to 

 arrive at their abode, thinks he humbles himself much even in 

 holding intercourse with these unfortunate beings, must be not 

 a little mortified at perceiving the supreme indifference with 

 which they survey the recent productions of his industry and 

 talents. 



* Tlie Icnj^tJi f)f the Strait of Ma<^e}lan is nearly 107 leaj^nes. All former nuvj- 

 jrators have allowt'd it or 16 Iciijim s inore; h\\\, in our hiipnort wt can say, that 

 Cook, altbouKh he did not. pass tliroii^h 2 he strait, observed this excess, l>y tiio 

 difference ol the ic-n^iUidc Vvliieh he observed o!" its iDoiitli west from the Strait 

 of La Maire, and that of thia phice, as recorded, in Auson's Vojage, calcviUuc<| 

 fioiu Cape de las Virgines. 



FINIS, 



