The case is stated simply and plainly, and in plain language, in the hope that those whose habit has been heretofore to dogmatise on questions of so much importance may enquire and investigate before they promulgate opinions which are likely to retard the advance of science, embitter the relations between races whose interests are conflicting, and offer inducements to the strong to be cruel to the weak.
It is the firm belief of the Aborigines that if a man to whom a female is betrothed sees or is seen by the mother of the girl, some disaster will happen to him, or that evil spirits will afflict him: and the mother-in-law carefully avoids her son-in-law; but whether in order to avert evil from him or to protect herself has never been ascertained. The origin of this mysterious custom is not known; and those who allow it or conform to it can give no intelligible explanation of it. In a state of society in which the sexes are, by reason of wars and the wandering habits of the tribes, brought together sometimes in a way that husbands and wives would not approve of—this rule is perhaps necessary as a complemental enlargement of their rather complex law of marriage. Girls, as has been said, are married at an early age, and when old enough to have marriageable daughters might still be attractive; and if, under temptation, any Aboriginal violated tribal rites by seeking to associate with the mother of any one of his wives, he might by such an act—and all the horror and rage which it would evoke—render necessary this as a salutary regulation. The mother naturally clings to her daughter, and would seek her companionship, and thus be brought necessarily into close communication with her son-in-law, if not prevented by this rule. No similar binding affection leads the sister to seek her brother.
If, by accident, a mother-in-law is approached by her son-in-law, she hides herself behind a bush, or in the grass, and the man holds up his shield and protects himself and passes her as best he can. If the mother-in-law is near other members of her tribe at such a time, they endeavour to conceal her, but they are not at liberty to say that her son-in-law is approaching, nor may they mention his name. Even at the Aboriginal Stations, where the Aboriginals are, one may say, civilized, and to some extent weaned from their prejudices, and where nearly all their ancient customs are in disuse or forgotten, this one lingers; and a woman will for some reason always avoid the sight of a certain man of the tribe. This has been mentioned to me as having given trouble and annoyance to the Superintendent of the Station at Coranderrk, where the Aboriginals are living in a state rather above than below that of the lowest class of whites.
Mr. Stanbridge says that "the mother-in-law, or Gnalwinkurrk, does not, under any circumstances, allow her Gnalwin, or son-in-law, to see her. If he be near, she hides herself; and if she require to go beyond where he is, she makes a circuit to avoid him, at the same time thoroughly screening herself with her cloak." Mr. Stanbridge adds that this remarkable custom is observed
arched and almost Roman; his forehead well-shaped—not harsh and bony, but curved, and the lines are good: the frontal sinuses are not prominent.
He is the only half-caste Bass's Straits man I have ever had the opportunity of closely examining. He is very different from the half-caste Australian, and is also unlike the half-caste negro.
