Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 33.djvu/481

Rh is derived, as we find it in the testimonies of travelers and missionaries.

Praising his deceased son, Tui Thakau, a Fijian Chief, concluded "by speaking of his daring spirit and consummate cruelty, as he could kill his own wives if they offended him, and eat them afterwards."—Western Pacific. p. 248.

"Shedding of blood is to him no crime, but a glory. . . to be somehow an acknowledged murderer is the object of the Fijian's restless ambition."—Fiji and the Fijians. Rev. i, p. 112.

"It is a melancholy fact that when they [the Zulu boys] have arrived at a very early age, should their mothers attempt to chastise them, such is the law, that these lads are at the moment allowed to kill their mothers."—Travels and Adventures in Southern Africa. ii, p. 418.

"Murther, adultery, thievery, and all other such like crimes, are here [Gold Coast] accounted no sins."—Description of the Coast of Guinea. p. 130.

"The accusing conscience is unknown to him [the East African]. His only fear after committing a treacherous murder is that of being haunted by the angry ghost of the dead."—Lake Regions of Central Africa. ii, p. 336.

"I never could make them [East Africans] understand the existence of good principle."—The Albert N'yanza. i, p. 241.

"The Damaras kill useless and worn-out people: even sons smother their sick fathers."—Narrative of an Explorer in Tropical South Africa. p. 112.

The Damaras "seem to have no perceptible notion of right and wrong."—Ibid., p. 72.

Against these we may set some converse facts. At the other extreme we have a few Eastern tribes—pagans they are called—who practice the virtues which Western nations—Christians they are called—do but teach. While Europeans thirst for blood revenge in much the same way as the lowest savages, there are some simple peoples of the Indian Hills, as the Lepchas, who "are singularly forgiving of injuries;" and Campbell exemplifies "the effect of a very strong sense of duty on one of these savages." That character which the creed of Christendom is supposed to foster, is exhibited in high degree by the Arafuras (Papuans) who live in "peace and brotherly love with one another" to such extent that government is but nominal. And concerning various of the Indian Hill-tribes, as the Santáls, Sowrahs, Marias, Lepchas, Bodo and Dhimáls, different observers testify of them severally that "they were the most truthful set of men I ever met," "crime and criminal officers are almost unknown," "a pleasing feature in their character is their complete truthfulness," "they bear a