The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-10-30
THE NATIVES OF AUsTR ALA.

A recent traveller in this comparatively
unknown land. thus describes the natives:
Physically the Australian native is an ex-
traordinary being. His shoulders are broad,
and his arms are brawny. His chest and
stomach are well developed, the latter rath-
Ter too much so. But the muscles Of his legs
and thighs are strangely sttenuatcd, yet
strong aud wiry. This gives them their
unique appearance, which may no, be unapt |
ly compared to parsnip standing upright !
in its natural position. with portion Of ,he
footstaiks remaining upon its cap. Although
black, they have the Caucasian features,
with the exception. perhaps of the females,
which are like those Of tie Africans. Their
hair is coarse, thick, strong and uayy. yet
not al all linky. do not think ever saw
one with poor poll. While at the dig
gings. one OF them, kind Of acquaintance
Of mine, would frequently beg hair oil Of
me. with which to anoint his hair, its length
and soft appearance being subject Of pride
in him, and Of envy 10 his companions.
Though once much more numerous, they now
are only about four thousand suuls.
They possess fair aptitude in making
literary requirements, but they do not seem
TO care to possess any. This may be due 10
natural incidence. Religion they have
none, unless the corrobery be religious
ceremony. and it doubtless is not as any
chief will make corrobery'' for glass of Ii.
quor or piece Of money. ard will take up
collection on piece of bark after the per-
fortnance.
4 In this dance they will move the muscles
Of their thighs outwards in very curious
manner, SO as to make them seem much
broader than they really are.
The Wesleyan Meihodists labored long
and earnestly to bring Them 10 sense of
sin and desire for pardon, but with so little
success that they have a length given il up
in despair. perfectly disheartened.
Though when upon their drunken bouts,
!. they will shout with such vigor as to be
heard three-quarters Of mile. they do not
seem at all lldisposed to shout "Glory," tn
Methodists to the contrary. notwithstsnd
i. ing.
Their sense Of smell is exquisiiely ledi-
cate. ByIits aid they can tell tree con-
tanning an opossum. and how long since be
assembled it. Other stories. still more mar
vellous. are related TO prove this fact, such
as finding the body Of murdered man, &c.
Their perspective faculties are very acute,
: and that part Of the skull jusi above the eve
is unusually prominent. Having once ,ren
you, they will recognize you twenty years
afterwards.
Their cerebellum is large. and they are in
consequence proportionable amatnry, and
possess a-good share of the animal passions
: generally.
Their gins" or wives are cruelty treat.
ed, and are always made "to bear lie bur.
!. den and heat Of the day," while their lord.
|. and masters wander about the camp in in
I, glorious case. Now aud then they will Kill
n kangaroo or opussum, but will d. It'll
else. They have the greatest repugnanc
to lsbor. and if they do earn a hslf crow
they will buy liquor and carouse I'LL il i
gone.
All efforts to civilize them are ID vain
/ Children have been adopted ~ their earlIes
! Infancy by'respectable and intelligent tam
lies, and have been educated and habiiuateI
/. mall the usages Of enlightened communi
,s ties; but about the age Of seventeen, the,
!, generally prnve themselves unable 10 resis
N their innate love of wandering life by de
~ camping with some strollng vagabonds q
l their own nation. They then throw of al
n the manners and customs Of The whites. AZ,
Ie IN great measure. again become the ,eri
est savages.
\, Infanticide prevails. and i, increasing. i
D. spite Of oil the ehnris ii tie settlers u d
Ss bate il. This is the main cause 81 ihri
i, constantly diminishing numbers. aid unles
II soon stopped il will doubtless il time esler
Ne inmate them once asked woman. noiu
et rious for the number Of "picaninnies" Tia
al she had destroyed, why she did il. Her an
&c swer was remarkable. showing that ihey al
nj mot ignorant Of their degraded condition.
~ was this: Black fellows picaniuny =
Z. good like 'possum. Plenty Of white piCi
" ninny." The manner in which the hurrib
w crime is eonsummated Is this: The moth,
aud child retire to the bush. and the iOrmc
return alone. That is all that is known i
bout il. The women are of easy virtue. b.
4 the mulattoes are almost invariably destroy
- ed.
4. They never remain more than two o. thrr
days in one place, and then form hut b
=. leaning wide piece of park against ~
4, sticks. They have never vet built : hcus'
4. They cook their game BY throwing i ini
he the fire, without any preparation. The re
Z. fuse Is taken out aud given to the dog
i. They are also fond Of gum. They hay
:. spears which they throw sith accuracy, b
- means Of a short stick with the head hollow
=, ed out. which they hold in their hands
y. They are race Of beings very inferior I
~ ~ mo,i others, aud they seem 10 prefer eI,er
h. .minatiou to enlightenment.
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