118 
NEW HOLLANDEES 
It is probable, however, notwithstanding their extreme barbarity, 
that some knowledge of the arts will soon be introduced among them 
as some have been seen attentively considering 'the utensils and con- 
veniences of the Europeans, with a view, seemingly, of making similar 
improvements of their own. It has also been observed, that in some 
things they possess a very great power of imitation. They can imi- 
tate the songs and language of the Europeans almost instantaneously, 
much better than the latter can imitate theirs by long practice. 
Their talent for imitation is also discernible in their sculptures, repre- 
senting men and other animals, every where met with on the rocks ; 
which, though rude, are very surprising for a people who have not 
the knowledge even of constructing habitations in the least comfort- 
able for themselves, or even clothes to preserve them from the cold. 
In their persons they are active, vigorous, and stout, though ge- 
nerally lean. Dampier asserts that they have a dimness of vision ; 
though later navigators have determined this to be a mistake, ascrib- 
ing to them, on the contrary, a quick and piercing sight. Their sense 
of smelling also is very acute. One of them having touched a piece 
of pork, held out his finger for his companion to smell, with strong 
marks of disgust. The only kind of food they eagerly accept of is 
fish. 
The New Hollanders generally display great personal bravery, on 
the appearance of any danger. An old man, whom governor Philip 
had treated with some familiarity, took occasion to steal a spade ; but 
being taken in the fact, the governor gave him a few slight slaps on 
the shoulder ; on which the old man caught hold of a spear, and, 
coming up to him, seemed for some time determined to strike, though, 
had he done so, it would have been impossible for him to have 
escaped, being then surrounded with officers and soldiers. No 
encounters between parties of the natives themselves have been ob- 
served, though from some circumstances it appears that wars are 
carried on among them. They have more than once been assembled, as 
if bent on some expedition. 
An officer once met fourteen of them marching along in a regular 
Indian file through the woods, each man having a spear in one hand 
and a stone in the other. A chief appeared at their head, who was 
distinguished from the rest by being painted. They passed on peace- 
ably, though greatly superior in number to our people. On another 
occasion, they offered no hostilities, when assembled to the number of 
even two or three hundred, though meeting the governor attended 
only by a small party. With all their courage, however, they are much 
afraid of a musket, and almost equally so of a red coat, which they 
know to be the martial dress of the colonists. 
Though these savages allow their beards to grow to a considerable 
length, it does not appear that they look upon them to be any orna- 
ment, but rather the contrary, as appears ffom the following instance. 
Some young gentlemen, belonging to the Sirius, one day met with an 
old man in the woods with a beard of considerable length. This, his 
new acquaintance let him know they would rid him of, stroking 
their chins, and shewing him the smoothness of them at the same 
time. At length the old fellow consented, and one of the youngsters. 
