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to it to join the rest. [Inserted above: They rule by no distinct or precise laws but by custom & precedents.] Kings or chiefs who
rule the rest they have not, [Inserted above:Europeans have erroneously attributed such titles to them] they have [indecipherable]
a proper term to signify a chieftain or ruler.
though some famous warrior or a man of
much shrewdness & ability, [Inserted above: especially one of their doctors] may often obtain
a preponderating influence and may be called
Ginnemai, in a battle or a leader, but his influence
will be chiefly excercised on the young men.
In fact the young men are under great
subjection to the elderly ones. This is one of
the chief hindrances to civilize or christianize
them. The old men are obstinately adhering
to their own habits & customs & use various
means to deter the young men from aband-
oning their old ways whilst the women old
& young are in slavish subjection to the will
of the old men as I shall on a future occasion
if desired more fully explain.
I have yet materials of some of the most interesting
customs & proceedings amongst the Aborigines
such as the condition of the women, certain customs
as to marriage their fictious relationship, certain
war-scenes & combats that take place amongst
them, the curious ceremony of making young men
their funeral ceremonies their corroborrees and above
all the peculiarities of their language with their
various dialects, should the audience and the
committee wish me to take up the subject again
in another [word crossed out] lecture, I shall if spared be prepared

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