ii6 TRAVELS IN 
my travels, I always received one fimple and 
uniform anfwer, which they give to thofe 
who, fufpedling them of inceftuous cohabita- 
tion, wifti to be convinced by their own ac- 
i:nowledgment : You compare us then to 
" brutes," faid they to me; for brufes alone 
are capable of doing what you fay." 
I wifli I may not be deceived — I believe In 
virtue, for the fake of thofe even who are un- 
acquainted with that word, and who have 
never written voluminous commentaries on 
the idea It contains. This fentlment, innate 
in the heart of man when it has not been 
corrupted by education and example, was 
given him as a fign of his dignity and diftinc- 
tion. Horror at the Idea of uniting with his 
own blood, Is one of the grandeft charafter- 
iftics by which the Creator wifhed to feparate 
the human fpecles from the clafs of animals; 
and this infurmountable barrier can be broken 
only by the moft infamous depravation. 
I dare affirm, then, that if there be'a corner * 
of the earth where a decency of conduct and 
manners Is ftlll honoured, we muft feek for 
its temple in the bofoms of the defarts. 
Thefe principles the favage has received nei- 
ther from prejudice nor education ; he is In- 
debted 
