His emotions
and passions express themselves in shouts and laughter, in yells
and frantic leapings. Women and children take their share in
every discussion, and seem little alarmed at the sight of
strangers and Europeans.
Of the intellect of this race it is very difficult to judge, but
I am inclined to rate it somewhat higher than that of the Malays,
notwithstanding the fact that the Papuans have never yet made any
advance towards civilization. It must be remembered, however,
that for centuries the Malays have been influenced by Hindoo,
Chinese, and Arabic immigration, whereas the Papuan race has only
been subjected to the very partial and local influence of Malay
traders. The Papuan has much more vital energy, which would
certainly greatly assist his intellectual development. Papuan
slaves show no inferiority of intellect. compared with Malays,
but rather the contrary; and in the Moluccas they are often
promoted to places of considerable trust. The Papuan has a
greater feeling for art than the Malay. He decorates his canoe,
his house, and almost every domestic utensil with elaborate
carving, a habit which is rarely found among tribes of the Malay
race.
In the affections and moral sentiments, on the other hand, the
Papuans seem very deficient. In the treatment of their children
they are often violent and cruel; whereas the Malays are almost
invariably kind and gentle, hardly ever interfering at all with
their children's pursuits and amusements, and giving them perfect
liberty at whatever age they wish to claim it.
