80 
NEW QXriNlA. 
have any feelings io common with more civilized races. 
This accounts for the discrepaacies that appear in the 
narratives of different voyagers, indeed, sometimes in that 
of a single individual, as is the case io Mr, Modera'a 
interesting details- but all these discrepancies can be 
distinctly traced to the circumstances under which their 
communications took place. Mr, Braijn Kops' evidence 
respecting the character of the natives of Dory is so in- 
teresting, and at the same time, from the circumstances 
under which he was placed, so important, that it will be 
necessary to extract the entire paragraph. 
" The mannci-s and customs of the inhabitants of Dory 
aire much less barbarous than might he expected from 
these rude, nncivilized races. On the contrary, in general 
tliey give evidence of a mild disposition, of an inclination 
to right and justice, and strong moral principles. Theft 
is considered by them as a verj^ grave offence, and is of 
very rare occurrence. They have no fastenings to their 
houses, and yet the chiefs assured us that seldom or never 
was anything stolen. Although they were on board our 
ship, or alongside, during whole days, we never missed 
anj^hing. Yet they are distrustful of strangers, until 
they become acqu^iinted with them, as we experienced. 
This is probably less, however, a trait of their character, 
than the result of intercourse with strangers, who, per- 
haps, have frequently tried to cheat them. The men, it 
is true, came on board from the time of our arrival, hut 
they were very cautious in letting any of the things they 
brought for sale out of their hands. The women were at 
first very fearful, and fled on all sides whenever they saw 
us, leaving behind what they might be carrying ; but at 
