_General Appearance._--The impression made upon spectators by the
Tasmanian race, has been curiously various. By some, they are said to be
the lowest in their physical organisation, their mental capacity, and
their social condition. Those who saw them at the same period, and
compared them with the inhabitants of Port Jackson, differed entirely in
their estimate. In the aged women, there was little to admire: of them,
even Mr. Backhouse speaks with unwonted emotion: they reminded him of
the ourang outang; they were hideous! but he thought the younger women
more agreeable. Another visitor in 1830 describes them as having small
hollow eyes, broad noses, nostrils widely distended; jaws like the
ourang outang; thin limbs; shapeless bodies; and a hideous expression of
countenance! Cook described them as having lips not remarkably thick;
their noses moderately flat. Labillardiere noticed a peculiar projection
in the upper jaw of children, which recedes in adult age. They certainly
do not correspond with our notions of beauty, but they are not inferior
to millions of the human race. Among the captives, were some whose
stature and port strongly impressed the spectator. Backhouse observed
one especially, whose features had a Jewish cast, and reminded him of
the popular pictures of Abraham! Their thin and wretched appearance,
occasioned by their diet, and diseases, cannot be properly attributed to
their constitution. Half starved human beings, unclothed, are ever
unpleasing. Those acquainted with populous cities in Europe, have often
been compelled to recognise, in the squalor and emaciation of classes,
the germs of a new race. The captive blacks, when partially clothed,
relieved from anxiety, and supplied with food, soon presented a new
aspect; and their countenances were lighted up with cheerfulness and
intelligence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account