scription, but I apprehend their character, in this respect, is not so horrible as represented; for although they acknowledge that they have been driven to the dire necessity of eating human flesh, in times of great scarcity of food, yet it does not appear that they have any predilection for the practice: the motive which impels them to this inhuman deed, as customary at present, is vengeance, but even this passion is not pursued without limitation. Thus, after a conquest, the victors do not devour the whole of their prisoners, but are content with shewing their power to do so, by dividing the chief of the vanquished tribe among them: he is eaten, it is true, but I do not believe that food is the inducement.
It is probable that an European, who should act with hostility toward them, would be treated in the same way, but if cast defenceless upon their shores, I have reasons for believing he would meet with far different treatment.
There can be no doubt but that the introduction of potatoes has saved many
