'NATIVES OF GREENLAND. 55 



and if the moderns have surpassed the inhabitants of 

 ancient Greece in aught, they have had the lights of the 

 ancients to direct them. The Divine wisdom displayed in 

 the New Testament is another splendid proof of the truth 

 of the position above assumed. It appeared among man- 

 kind diffusing benevolence and peace to all the nations of 

 the earth from a spot within the limits laid down. 



This line, however, is not always unbroken, but is sub- 

 ject to variations arising from localities, which must ever 

 exercise a predominant influence over mankind. We may 

 also notice that it is not at variance with the general laws of 

 nature that differences may arise subject to such influence. 

 The line by which the mariner's needle is directed to the 

 north is not always steadily noted by the magnet. The va- 

 riation of the compass, the irregular motions of the needle, 

 sometimes in the vicinity of mountains, and often where the 

 land is very little elevated, are evidence that circumstances 

 will cause a deviation from an universally established rule. 

 Perhaps it is to some unseen cause that the great diversity 

 of human character is to be attributed ; and some persons 

 will insist that half the happiness of life depends upon that 

 very diversity. 



Situation has a surprising effect also on the human con- 

 stitution and character. The inhabitant of the mountain 

 differs essentially from the inhabitant of the plain ; their 

 pursuits and passions are widely different. The one is all 



