The aborigines of Tasmania / by H. Ling Roth ; assisted by Marion E. Butler and Jas. Backhouse Walker ; with a chapter on the osteology by J.G. Garson.

  • Henry Ling Roth
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The aborigines of Tasmania / by H. Ling Roth ; assisted by Marion E. Butler and Jas. Backhouse Walker ; with a chapter on the osteology by J.G. Garson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of her nation;* she appeared, moreover, to dearly love her child [a girl], and her care for it had that affectionate and sweet character which is the particular attribute of maternal tenderness. At this juncture the young woman had a surprise. One of our sailors had a pair of fur gloves which he took off and put in his pocket on nearing the fire. On seeing this the young woman uttered so loud a cry that at first we were alarmed ; but we were not slow to understand the cause of this species of fright, and by her expressions and gestures we could not doubt but that she had taken the gloves for real hands, or for a species of live skin, which could be taken off, put in one’s pocket, and put on again as one pleased” (ch. xii. pp. 220-224). Then, Peron continues, “The young girl made herself more remarked every moment by the sweetness of her physiognomy and the equally amiable and spivituel expression of her looks; of a constitution much feebler than her brother and sister, she was more lively and passionate than they. M. Freycinet, who sat beside her, appeared to be more especially the objeCt of her enticing ways, and the least experienced eye could have distinguished in the looks of this innocent pupil of nature that delicate shade which gives to simple playfulness a more serious and deliberate character. Even coquetry itself appeared to have been called to the aid of natural attractions. Having taken some charcoal in her hands, she in a moment made herself black enough to frighten one: what seemed most singular to us was the complacency with which this young girl appeared to regard us after this operation, and the confident air which this new ornament had spread over her face. While this was going on, the little children were imitating the grimaces and gestures of their parents, and nothing was more curious than to see these little negroes stamping their feet for joy at hearing our songs; they had unconsciously familiarized themselves with us, and towards the end of the interview, they made use of our notice as freely as if they had known us for a long time. Every little present we gave them filled them with pleasure, and redoubled their regard for us; altogether they appeared to us lively, frolicsome, and mischievous. Oure-Oure had a rush bag of an elegant and peculiar construction, which I very much desired to have, as this young girl also showed me some very amiable attentions. I ventured to ask her for her little bag; she immediately, without hesitation, put it into my hands, accompanying the gift with an obliging smile and some affectionate [sic] phrases, which I regretted to be unable to understand. In return, I offered her a handkerchief and a tomahawk, the use of which I showed her brother, and which was a cause of astonishment and exclamation to the whole family. As night was approaching, we prepared to re-join our long boat; the old mother and the young woman with her children, except the biggest, remained in the hut ; the others came with us; the path along which we walked bristled with shrubs and briars; our poor savages, being quite naked, seemed to have much to suffer from the scratches they received; we pitied Oure-Oure, but without appearing to perceive the numerous scratches Judging from the extravagant way in which this girl is spoken of later on, it appears probable that the susceptible naturalist was much smitten with her charms.