HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. i. 



so common among other savage nations, was altoge- 

 ther unknown to the Charaibes. 



V 



The ardour which has been noticed in them for 

 military enterprize, had a powerful influence on their 

 whole conduct. Engaged in continual warfare abroad, 

 they seldom appeared chearful at home. Reflections 

 on past miscarriage, or anxious schemes of future 

 achievement, seemed to fill up many of their hours, 

 and rendered them habitually thoughtful, pensive and 

 silent. i Love itself, w r hich exerts its influence in the 



f * 



frozen deserts of Iceland, maintained but a feeble do- 

 minion over the Charaibes. f Their insensibility to- 

 wards their women, although they allowed a plurality 

 of wives, has been remarked by many writers; and 

 it must have arisen from extrinsic causes; from the 

 predominance of passions strong enough to counter- 

 act the effects of a climate which powerfully disposes 

 to voluptuousness, and awakens the instincts of na- 

 ture much sooner than colder regions. The prevail- 

 ing bias of their minds was distinguishable even in 

 their persons. Though not so tall as the generality of 

 Europeans, their frame was robust and muscular; 

 their limbs flexible and active, and there was a pene- 

 trating quickness, and a wildness in their eyes, that 

 seemed an emanation from a fierce and martial spi- 

 rit. !| But, not satisfied with the workmanship of na- 



f- Du Tertre, torn. ii. 

 J Rochfort, c. xi. 

 Ibicl. c. xxii. 



H Oviedo, lib. iii. This agrees likewise with the Chevalier Pinto"s ac- 

 count of the Brasil'ans in note 42 to vol. i. of Dr. Robertson's Hrstor)'. 



