SECTION VII. v

On the Savage a?id Civilized'State of Man.

A Few remarks on the savage and civilized state of man, compared with each other, will conclude this first part of the present work. :. : i',••> . . . r . •*. ....... \ . ,i

Some modern writers have exerted all the force of their genius and eloquence, in attempting to elevate the savage above the civilized state of man. Instead of Greeks and Romans, we hear of Caffres and Esquimaux, of Cherokees and Chickesaws; to these, or to other hordes who are supposed still more entirely under the tuition of uncorrupted nature, we are directed for examples of pure virtue and unmingled felicity.

Whether the indigence and rudeness of savage life is preferable to a wealthy and luxurious state of society, I am not anxious that there is a middle >-period which is preferable to either, after a people have emerged from barbarism, and before they have,, arrived at false refinement.

It is easy for the fancy to invest with borrowed qualities, persons and things with which we are little acquainted. , ^ voyager who touches upon a strange coast, and there beholds a company of the natives seated at their ease under the foliage of some spreading oak or plantain, while others are seen diverting themselves on the lawn with the dance and the song, is ready to imagine himself transported to a paradisiacal region where all is innocence and delight; and should he happen to be received to a hospitable repast, instead of being devoured himself, he will be disposed to requite them with the praise of every virtue that can adorn humanity. To appearances much less flattering than these, we are probably indebted for some late panegyrics upon savage life and manners. We all know how common it is for men, especially for travellers, out of mere vanity to embellish SECTION VII. 'i

On the Savage a?id Civilized' State of Man. .. ;.' . . .. .i :.\v L'.'j . J:;: a . , :•.:}

A Few remarks on the savage and civilized state of man, compared with each other, will conclude this first part of the present work. :.: :. '. \ ..J

Some modern writers have exerted all the force of their genius and eloquence, in attempting to elevate the savage above the civilized state of man. Instead of Greeks and Romans, we hear of Caffres and Esquimaux, of Cherokees and Chickesaws; to these, or to other hordes who are supposed still more entirely under the tuition of uncorrupted nature, we are directed for examples of pure virtue and unmingled felicity.

Whether the indigence and rudeness of savage life is preferable to a wealthy and luxurious state of society, I am not anxious that there is a middle i-period which is preferable to either, after a people have emerged from barbarism, and , before they have,, arrived at false refinement.' 'i;•;... '. It is easy for the fancy to invest with borrowed qualities, persons and things with which We are little acquainted.,, A voyager who touches upon a strange coast, and there beholds a company of the natives seated at their ease under the foliage of some spreading oak or plantain, while others are seen diverting themselves on the lawn with the dance and the song, is ready to imagine himself transported to a paradisiacal region where all is innocence and delight; and should he happen to be received to a hospitable repast, instead of being devoured himself, he will be disposed to requite them with the praise of every virtue that can adorn humanity. To appearances much less flattering than these, we are probably indebted for some late panegyrics upon savage life and manners. We all know how common it is for men, especially for travellers, out of mere vanity to embellish

On the Savage and Civilized State of Man. - of to . . . . . . . . . . . ; A few remarks on the savage and civilized state of man, compared with each other, will conclude this first part of the present work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; Some modern writers have exerted all the force of their genius and eloquence, in attempting to elevate the savage above the civilized state of man. Instead of Greeks and Romans, we hear of Caffres and Esquimaux, of Cherokees and Chickesaws; to these, or to other hordes who are supposed still more entirely under the tuition of uncorrupted nature, we are directed for examples of pure virtue and unmingled felicity. Whether the indigence and rudeness of savage life is preferable to a wealthy and luxurious state of society, I am not anxious