Besides The Greater Number Of
Impracticable Prejudices Which Attach Themselves To Imperfectly
Cultivated Minds When Placed In New Situations, And
Which often render
well-meant exertions unavailing, it is certain, that superior
knowledge both affords greater aptitude of accommodation to
Unusual
circumstances by the speedy discovery it enables the person to make of
the principles on which they depend, and, at the same time,
facilitates the management and direction of them when known, by the
accustomed exercise of the faculties which it implies. Mr F. seems to
have imposed on himself by the gratuitous use of figurative language.
Where there is a want of intermediate links, there is certainly no
connection; but admitting that all mankind is made up of the same
materials, it may be very safely inferred, that the most civilized and
best educated European carries about with him the whole chain, betwixt
the "narrow views" of the New Zealanders and his own "extended sphere
of knowledge." The physical wants of our species are the same in all
regions of the globe, and so are our passions. These are grand
levellers of the proud distinctions, by which some of us exalt
ourselves so much above others; and they have never yet been set aside
or eradicated by any process which human ingenuity has contrived.
Often, indeed, savages excel in the knowledge and dexterous attainment
of the means necessary to supply and gratify them. Our judicious
Shakespeare seems to have been aware of this, when he causes the
brutish Caliban to address Triaculo thus, -
"I'll shew thee the best springs; I'll pluck thee berries; I'll fish
for thee, and get thee wood enough," &c.
Mr F. himself, as we shall soon see, has specified one link large and
strong enough to answer for a chain in holding together British
sailors at least, and New Zealanders, or, indeed, any other savages,
however degenerate and abominable, to the end of the chapter! - E.
[3] "Our crews, who had not conversed with women since our departure
from the Cape, found these ladies very agreeable, and from the manner
in which their advances were received, it appeared very plainly that
chastity was not rigorously observed here, and that the sex were far
from being impregnable. However, their favours did not depend upon
their own inclination, but the men, as absolute masters, were always
to be consulted upon the occasion; if a spike-nail, or a shirt, or a
similar present, had been given for their connivance, the lady was at
liberty to make her lover happy, and to exact, if possible, the
tribute of another present for herself. Some among them, however,
submitted with reluctance to this vile prostitution: and but for the
authority and menaces of the men, would not have complied with the
desires of a set of people, who could, with unconcern, behold their
tears and hear their complaints. Whether the members of a civilized
society, who could act such a brutal part, or the barbarians who could
force their own women to submit to such indignity, deserve the
greatest abhorrence, is a question not easily to be decided.
Encouraged by the lucrative nature of this infamous commerce, the New
Zealanders went through the whole vessel, offering their daughters and
sisters promiscuously to every person's embraces, in exchange for our
iron tools, which they knew could not be purchased at an easier rate.
It does not appear, that their married women were ever suffered to
have this kind of intercourse with our people.
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