future;—on the contrary, they placed implicit reliance in those who, having given a promise, performed it punctually.
The chief objects of their desire were tomahawks, large nails, and iron hoops; but, in the progress of time, they took a fancy to various articles of dress. To obtain a shirt, was a great object with them; and they soon became so particular, that if a button were wanting in the collar or sleeves, they were not satisfied till the deficiency was remedied. A coloured handkerchief, which they used to roll neatly round the head, was also much prized.
After they became somewhat polished in their manner, if they saw anything that struck their fancy, they asked for it; if given them, they shewed no visible marks of thankfulness; and, if refused them with firmness, they laid it down quietly.
Some time before we left the coast, they could be trusted implicitly, even with those articles they most highly prized.
It may be justly presumed, that living, as they do, more agreeably to nature, they are subject to fewer diseases than man in a civilized state. But, that they are not altogether exempt from the ills attending animal existence, was very obvious.
"During the inclement and wet weather at the commencement of this year," observes Dr. Davis, "a party of the Aborigines was discovered, labouring under acute bronchitis, on a low neck of land, near the western
