State Library of NSW
42 58 From what has already been stated something may be gleaned of the manners and customs of the Aborigines of this island, but more is required. I have remarked that the Aborigines have nothing among them in the shape of tradition, and a close attention to this may lead to very important results. If we refer to the history of nations, and to narratives of the earlier navigators and discoveries, we cannot find a single instance of a people having been met with who has es--lived in so perfect complete a state of nature as the savages of New Holland and Van Diemen's Land. All others have been found in a more or less advanced in civilization, even if of the rudest cast. Among also all those we find something which is termed tradition, but not so in South Australia. - It may therefore be reasonably be supposed that what has have hitherto been designated as traditionary tales, be are the mere inventions of man. Of this we have a remarkable instance in
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