Ossian Collection > Thoughts on the origin and descent of the Gael

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Original Condition of Man.
However humiliating it may appear to those
who entertain high notions of the physical and
moral nature of the human species, the testimo-
nies of ancient and modern authors concur in
establishing this proposition, That mankind, in
the primitive ages of their existence, followed a
mode of life similar to the gregarious animals of
the brute creation. Yet, more cruel than these,
human beings, to gratify their vengeance or their
sensual appetites, have been found devouring
their own species, with as little feeling of com-
punction, remorse, or revolt of mind, as they fed
on the flesh of those other animals which still
prove savoury to the taste of the polished and
refined part of mankind.
The philosophic curiosity, or commercial views
of modern times, have established beyond con-
troversy the existence of cannibals or man-eaters.
Modern voyagers of the highest credit, teach us
to respect relations of ancient authors,* who were
long held in derision, as handing down traits of
human manners which could obtain the credit of
historical facts only in those days of ignorance
* Vide GoGUET, and the Autbors quoted, vol. i. Introduction^