TREATMENT OF FEMALES. 387 
of passion. With many vices and but few virtues, 
I do not yet think the Australian savage is more 
vicious in his propensities or more virulent in 
his passions than are the larger number of the 
lower classes of what are called civilized com- 
munities. Well might they retort to our accusa- 
tions, the motives and animus by which too many 
of our countrymen have been actuated towards 
them. 
I have remarked that as far as my observation 
has enabled me to judge, the natives are rarely 
guilty of offences (which they deem such,) towards 
members of their own tribes. There are many 
acts, however, which according to our ideas of right 
and wrong, are acts of the greatest cruelty and 
tyranny, which they exercise towards each other, 
though sanctioned by custom, and enforced by 
daily practice. Such are the cruelties inflicted upon 
the women, who are looked upon in the light of 
slaves, and mercilessly beaten or speared for the 
most trifling offences. No one under any circum- 
stances ever attempts to take the part of a female, 
and consequently they are maltreated and oppressed 
in a shocking degree. Does a native meet a woman 
in the woods and violate her, he is not the one made 
to feel the vengeance of the husband, but the poor 
victim whom he has abused. Is there hard or dis- 
agreeable work of any kind to be done — the woman 
is compelled to do it. Is there a scarcity of food 
2 c 2 
