B 505: Lecture on the Aborigines of Australia and papers on Wirradhurrei dialect, 1837-1840 - Page 7
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They have learned our vices, they have
copied some of the worst [patterns?] of the
White man and become so debased
more by intoxicating drink and other evil
habits that they present (the present remnant)
more or less a caricature of the former their
ancestors. If they have gained a little,
in little matters by their intercourse with
Europeans, they have lost much of that inde-
pendence of spirit, valor & courage, beside
certain other better habits and customs which
originally [obtained?] with them & [still?] may
be found among the more distant tribes.
If some of the older colonials & [?] are
present to whom I may not [afford?] much information
that it is new to them, I would beg of
them to bear in mind that there are many
new [comers?] amongst us less or but little
acquainted with the habits or character
of the Blacks.
I must preface my lecture by one more ob-
servation viz; that I must draw almost
F. I would
further remark
here that their
speedy disap-
pearance from
before our eyes
is not altogether
owing to in-
temperance and
other vices
they assume
from Europeans.
I have known
a number
of fine young
men dying
away before
they had almost
any opportunity
to drink,
simply in
consequence
of the irregularity
they to which
they subject
themselves
living for a
time with Europeans
eating our
food, and
enjoying re-
gular meals,
besides [being/wearing?]
[?] & [?]
& then suddenly
returning for
a few weeks to their own
ways & habits;