of revenge, which is thus sought, to make surer of its object, than it could have done if only opposed man to man in the field."
He adds that the natives of New South Wales are splendid mimics. They were fond of attending church and noting the observances therein. After going away, they would take a book, and with much success imitate the clergyman in his manner, laughing and enjoying the applause which they received.
Collins gives a very flattering picture of the women:—"The features of many of these people were far from unpleasing, particularly of the women; in general, the black bushy beards of the men, and the bone or reed which they thrust through the cartilage of the nose, tended to give them a disgusting appearance; but in the women, that feminine delicacy which is to be found among white people was to be traced even upon their sable cheeks; and though entire strangers to the comforts and conveniencies of clothing, yet they sought with a native modesty to conceal by attitude what the want of covering would otherwise have revealed; bringing to the recollection of those who observed them
'The bending statue which enchants the world,'
though it must be owned that the resemblance consisted solely in the position."[1]
In other parts of this work reference is made to the remarkable affection which men sometimes display towards children, and it is seen also in their behaviour to their relatives and friends.
"Another very common error," says Mr. Bunce, "is that there exists no settled love or lasting affection between the sexes; not only does the strongest feeling of affection exist between the male and female, but it is often exhibited between individuals of the same sex, as could be amply testified by witnessing the parting scene at an Aboriginal camp, when one of its members is about taking a long and dangerous journey. It is scarcely possible to conceive a more painful or affecting scene than is exhibited on such an occasion. The moment the time has arrived for the party to take leave, he rises and approaches his eldest male relative, with one hand extended and the other covering his eyes, the old man approaching in the same manner; on meeting, each clasps firmly the other's hand, when they elevate their arms to an angle a little above the hair of their heads; in this way they remain for the space of three minutes, and during the whole time genuine tears may be seen oozing through their fingers; at the expiry of the time mentioned they again lower their arms, and finish with three sharp jerks of the hand, and walk off in different directions, still continuing to hold down their heads, and avoiding the sight of each other again. This very affecting ceremony is only observed between relatives and those who are closely attached, but with others the three jerks of the hand only are given."[2]
The mental peculiarities of the natives can be best ascertained from their habits, their customs, and their arts; and the detailed accounts in this work exhibit them prominently.
The Aborigines are at one time impulsive, at another phlegmatic; they can exert themselves vigorously when hunting or fishing or fighting or dancing,
- ↑ English Colony in New South Wales, pp. 355, 357, 358.
- ↑ Language of the Aborigines of the Colony of Victoria, by Daniel Bunce, 1851.
