The bent of the race was always strongly to controversy and discussion.

Their ignorance of any description of writing made them cultivate debate.

Their complacent indifference to time made deliberative assembly a prolonged, never-wearying joy.

The chiefs met in council like Homer's heroes--the commons sitting round and muttering guttural applause or dissent.

The speeches abounded in short sententious utterances, in proverbs, poetic allusions and metaphors borrowed from legends.