in bedaubing their bodies with paint; and in wearing bracelets of beads, shells, or bits of bone. They had no furniture, not even an implement to dress their food. Yet their bows and arrows were neatly formed, and the latter had barbed heads of glass or flint. They seemed to be a dull uninteresting race, possessing a very small share of curiosity or penetration. The most remarkable custom observed among them was, that when they were introduced to any new place, or new object, one of their number shouted with all his might for some minutes.
On reviewing this description of man in his savage state, it is not unprofitable to recollect, that such were once the inhabitants of our own enlightened country. The ancient Britons were little, if any thing, superior to the present natives of Terra del Fuego. Foundations of their conical huts, occasionally placed in rows like streets, have been found in considerable quantity on the Eastern Moors of Yorkshire, not far from the birthplace of our great navigator; and in the centre of each foundation, forming a hollow in the ground, remainders of the fires of the British savages may be dug up.[1] Their beads, and flint arrow-heads neatly barbed, are often found in the fields; and it is well known, that they also painted their bodies, and wore rude dresses of skin. The time may arrive, when the wretched inhabitants of Terra del Fuego shall be as enlightened as those of the British isles.
While the naturalists were pursuing their favourite studies, the Commander was chiefly employed in taking soundings, bearings, and observations,
- ↑ See Young's History of Whitby and its Vicinity, Vol. II, pp. 666–681.
