I'jgi. Selico, a tale. 183 



the little good we enjoy, and the other all the <vil which 

 abounds, we (hould be induced to think that in Afiica 

 this doctrine had its foundation. No land produces so 

 many poisons, venomous reptiles, or wild beasts. The lit.le 

 we know of the history of Morocco, of the negroe> of 

 Andia, of the Jaggas, and other districts along the coast 

 to the country of the Hottentots, appears very much to re- 

 semble the histories of lions, panthers, and serpents, so 

 worthy to partake of this burnt up land with its cannijal 

 kings who carry to market the flefli of their prisoners. 

 In the midst however of these sanguinary monsters a'^d 

 ■disgusting horrors, (some who sell their children, ,:nd 

 others who eat their prisoners,) natural equity and ii-.s- 

 tice, real virtue, constancy in pain, and a contempt of death, 

 are sometimes to be found. These examples, rare as they 

 may be, are sufficient to interest us in these degraded 

 beings, and to remind us they are men. Thus in 

 the most barren desart, a few green plants, which coa- 

 „sole the distrefsed traveller, remind him that he is still 

 upon the earth. 



In the kingdom of Juida, on the coast of Guinea, beyond 

 the cape of three points, and not far from the city of Sabi, 

 in the year 17 27, lived the widow Darina. She was the mo- 

 ther of three sons whom (he had nursed with a tendernefs 

 fortunately very common in nature, but not so in these 

 climates, where children are looked upon as objects 

 of commerce, and sold by their unnatural parents. The eldest 

 was called Guberi, the second Telone, the youngest Selico. 

 All of them had good dispositions and adored their mother, 

 who now, aged and infirm, only existed by their attentions 

 and care. The riches of this family were comprised in a 

 hut, which they inhabited together, and a small field nearit 

 which supplied them with maize. Every morning one 0; the 



