214 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



went on the fuppofition, in modern times, and in 

 a well-known part of the Globe, of the exiftence of 

 a very confiderable People, formed almoft entirely 

 of the miferable refufe of the European Nations, 

 exalted, all at once, to the higheft degree of feli- 

 city ; and this rare phenomenon, fo worthy of, at 

 leaft, the cnriofity of Europe, ceafed to produce 

 any illufion, as foon as it was certain that it had 

 no real exiftence. Befides, the fcantinefs of theory 

 which I had procured, refpeâiing a country fo dif- 

 ferent from ours, and fo fuperficially defcribed by 

 travellers, could have furniflied to my pidures 

 only a falfe colouring, and very indiftinâ: features. 



I relinqu idled, then, my political veflel, though 

 I had laboured upon her for feveral years, with 

 unwearied perleverance. Like the canoe of Ro- 

 bhjfon Cmfoet 1 left her in the forefl where I had 

 moulded her, for want of power to put her in 

 motion, and to carry her along the tide of human 

 opinions. 



To no purpofç did my imagination perform the 

 tour of the Globe. Amidft; fo many fues prefented, 

 for the happinefs of Man, by Nature, I could not 

 fo much as find vvhere to put down the illufory 

 habitation of a People, happy in conformity to 

 her Laws : for neither the republic of St. Paul, 

 near to Brafil^ formed of banditti who made war 



upon 



