quickness of the poor native's senses is often brought forward against him, as though he were something less than a man, because his acuteness of observation and keenness of sight reach a perfection that we are accustomed to consider as the birthright of the inferior animals alone. Born, however, in a country that is devoid of indigenous fruits or grains fit for man's use, the native's existence has depended not on the cultivation of the soil, but on that of his five senses; and that he should see like a hawk and track like a bloodhound, or should resemble the bee in his power of steering a direct course through pathless forests, are the natural results of that cultivation, just as the excessive delicacy of touch possessed by the hands of blind persons results from the constant exercise of their sense of feeling. But granting that the lowest condition of mankind is to be found on the great island-continent, I can yet assure Europeans that they have no reason to feel ashamed of owning affinity with the savages of Australia West, either in respect of mental qualities or that of manly appearance. The kangaroo mantle, nearly reaching the knee, hangs gracefully over their fine figures; the uncovered head is carried loftily, and a dignity is added to the high, well-shaped forehead by the binding of a fillet round the hair and brow, after the fashion of an antique bust.
The curiosity that is felt with regard to "natives" dates, probably, with most persons, from their first reading of Robinson Crusoe; and Mr. Darwin, who, from what he says in his 'Naturalist's Voyage,' appears to have been by no means a good sailor, considers the opportunity of seeing man in his savage state as a complete counter-
