Two  estimates  of  the  Indian  character  have  generally  been
formed  by  writers  upon  the  subject,  widely  different  indeed  in
their  results.  By  one  of  these,  the  North  American  Indians
have  been  supposed  to  be  possessed  of  almost  every  virtue  which
can  ennoble  human  nature.  Magnanimity,  wisdom,  generosity,
bravery,  independence,  eloquence — have  each  and  all  been
challenged  for  them  by  their  admirers.  On  the  other  hand,
their  characters  are  alleged  to  be  but  a  compound  of  treachery,
cruelty,  cowardice,  ignorance,  and  conceit ;  and  their  boasted
eloquence,  a  cheat.  The  truth,  indeed,  appears  to  be  a  com-
pound of  these  two  diverse  opinions.  That  they  are  brave
and  wise — (probably  cunning  would  be  the  more  appropriate
expression) — and  high-spiritSl,  we  are  inclined  to  admit.  But
we  are  also  persuaoed  that  they  are  eminently  cruel  and  bar-
barous ;  selfish,  treacherous,  and  revengeful.  Of  their  powers
of  oratory  we  are  extremely  sceptical.
Dr.  Bird  adopts  the  unfavourable  estimate  of  tlieir  quali-
ties— not  mingling  with  it  a  sufficient  grain  of  allowance.
On  the  whole,  however,  we  regard  him  as  more  correct  than
those  persons  who  look  for  the  perfection  or  even  a  high  stand-
ard of  human  nature  amid  the  woods  and  wilds — or  among
any  unchristianized,  warlike  tribes.  We  are  glad  that  our
author's  book  has  been  published,  simply  for  this,  if  for  no  other
reason,  that  something  might  be  plausibly  urged  on  both  sides
of  the  question.  And  tliis  has  been  effected  in  a  narrative
which  loses  none  of  its  interest  because  its  hero  has  not  been
selected  from  a  savage  people.
Upon  the  beauties  of  the  work  we  have  not  space  to  enlarge.
