my camp on the Murrumbidgee, because I had made him presents as I went down that river, vol. ii. page 212.  On the other hand, could anything have been more just than the punishment inflicted on the boy who stole my servant Davenport’s blanket at Fort Grey? as mentioned in the present work; or the decision of the two sons of the Boocolo of Williorara, as regarded the conveyance of our letter-bag to Lake Victoria?  Here are broad instances of honesty that would do credit to any civilized nation.  Surely men, who can so feel, should not be put lowest in the scale of the human race?  It is true that all attempts to improve the social condition of the Australian native has failed, but where is the savage nation with which we have succeeded better?  The natives of New Zealand will perhaps be the only instance, in modern times, of a barbarous race surviving the introduction of civilization amongst them.  Without venturing to compare the natives of Australia, to a people so much superior, I would only claim for them a due share of consideration.  All I can say is that they have submitted to our occupation of their country with a forbearance that commands our best sympathies.

It will be borne in mind, that I have not here spoken of their personal appearance.  That that generally is against them, cannot be doubted.  If there is any truth in phrenology, they must have their share of the brutal passions.  The whole appearance of the cranium indeed, would lead to the conclusion that they possess few of the intellectual faculties; but, in a savage state, these are seldom called forth.  They are, nevertheless, capable of strong attachment, are indulgent parents, and certainly evince a kindly feeling towards their relations, are improvident and generous, having no thought for the morrow.  On the other hand, they are revengeful and crafty, and treat their wives with much harshness, imposing on them the burthen of almost everything:  that man being considered the richest who has the greatest number, because he can sit in his hut, and send them out to procure food.

I think it is agreed on all hands that the natives of Australia are sprung from the same parent stock.  Their personal appearance and customs, if not their dialects, shew this.  From what race they originally sprang it is more difficult to determine, for there is not one of the great families into which the human race has been divided, with which they may properly be classed.  With such features as they generally possess, in the flattened nose, thick lip, and overhanging brow, one can hardly fancy that they would be good looking, but I certainly have seen very good looking men amongst them—­I may say tribes, indeed, on the Darling for instance, and on the Murrumbidgee, (see page 53, vol. ii. of my last work.) The men on Cooper’s Creek were fine rather than handsome.  Generally speaking, the natives have beautiful teeth, and their eye, though deep sunk, is full of fire.  Although their muscular development is bad, they must