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every reader, that the Peruvians, of whom he fpeaks were in a very 



advanced ftate of fociety, and a high degree of cultivation ; and the 

 happy government under which they refided, muft have added to the foft- 

 ncfs of their difpofitions, and the amenity of their manners. 



Sir William Jones alfo refers to the fpecimens of Lapland poetry, 

 which have been preferved in Scheffer, as further proofs of the univerfal 

 dominion of love ; but it is to be obferved, with refpeft to the Lap- 

 landers, that they form an exception to the general rules, drawn 

 from the obfervations made on other tribes of men, and to the con- 

 clufions, which may arife on a view of the general hiftory of human 

 nature ; their fituation being very peculiar, and caclulated to produce 

 in them an extraordinary and early mildnefs of manner, and an inordinate 

 propenfity to certain pleafures. Their fituation was and is fuch as to 

 exempt them altogether from being in the heroic ftate, that is to fay, 

 from the flate of warfare, fpoil, and rapine. Their country affords no- 

 thing to invite hoftile aggreffion. Simple in their mode of life, bound- 

 ed in their wifhes, attached with enthufiafm to their native country, 

 mild in their tempers, fmall in ftature, and poffeffing very little bodily 

 ftrength, they have neither the difpofition nor the ability to commit 

 violence, or invade their neighbours. The ftate of indolence to which 

 they are doomed during the long continuance of their polar night, 

 difpofes them to an indulgence in all the fenftial enjoyments their ftate 

 afford*. Eafe and indolence have ever been the fruitful parents of love 

 and amatory compofitions, and a number of thefe people being colleft- 

 ed together in their fubterraneous habitations, or affembled in their 

 fledges, on the fnow, to beguile the hours with various amufements, 

 the two fexes thus affembled for the purpofes of mirth and enjoy- 

 ment, and the being as happy as they could, were difpofed to conciliate 

 the affeftions of each other, by every means they could devife, and 

 on thefe occafions, fongs of love were not forgotten. Befides, it mull 

 be remembered, that the Laplanders, whofe amorous ditties are thus 

 preferved, are to be confidered, as being in a fort of paftoral ftate ; 

 their rein-deer conftituted their wealth, and at this day, in faft, the 



T a mode 



