National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

I48 •   MARCO POLO.   VOL. II. BK. III.

He has never developed unaided any idea of drawing or making a tally

or record for any purpose, but he readily understands a sketch or plan

when shown him. He soon becomes mentally tired, and is apt to

break down physically under mental training.

" He retains throughout life the main characteristics of the child :

of very short but strong memory, suspicious of but hospitable to

strangers, ungrateful, imitative and watchful of his companions and

neighbours, vain, and under the spur of vanity industrious and

persevering, teachable up to a quickly reached limit, fond of undefined

games and practical jokes, too happy and careless to be affected in

temperament by his superstitions, too careless indeed to store water

even for a voyage, plucky but not courageous, reckless only from

ignorance or from inappreciation of danger, selfish but not without

generosity, chivalry or a sense of honour, petulant, hasty of temper,

entirely irresponsible and childish in action in his wrath, and equally

quick to forget, affectionate, lively in his movements, and exceedingly

taking in his moments of good temper. At these times the Andamanese

are gentle and pleasant to each other, considerate to the aged, the

weakly or the helpless, and to captives, kind to their wives and proud

of their children, whom they often over-pet ; but when angered, cruel,

jealous, treacherous and vindictive, and always unstable. They are

bright and merry companions, talkative, inquisitive and restless, busy in

their own pursuits, keen sportsmen and naturally independent, absorbed

in the chase from sheer love of it and other physical occupations, and

not lustful, indecent, or indecently abusive.

" As the years advance they are apt to become intractable, masterful,

and quarrelsome. A people to like but not to trust. Exceedingly

conservative and bound up in ancestral custom, not amenable to

civilisation, all the teachings of years bestowed upon some of them

having introduced no abstract ideas among the tribesmen, and changed

no habit in practical matters affecting comfort, health, and mode of life.

Irresponsibility is a. characteristic, though instances of a keen sense of

responsibility are not wanting. Several Andamanese can take charge

of the steering of a large steam launch through dangerous channels,

exercising then caution, daring, and skill though not to an European

extent, and the present (1901) dynamo-man of the electric lighting on

Ross Island is an Andamanese, while the wire-man is a Nicobarese, both

of whom exhibit the liveliest sense of their responsibilities, though re-

taining a deep-rooted and unconquerable fear of the dynamo and wires

when at work. The Nicobarese shows, as is to be expected, the higher

order of intellect. Another Andamanese was used by Portman for

years as an accountant and kept his accounts in English accurately

and well.

" The intelligence of the women is good, though not as a rule equal

to that of the men. In old age, however, they frequently exhibit a