DON FELIX 1/AZARA. 45 



are one of the most numerous of these nations. 

 Some say they amount to 20,000; but according 

 to my calculation there are only 8,300 of them. 

 They receive travellers, whoever they are, with 

 much hospitality ; lodging them, feeding them, and 

 helping them on their journey. They have horses, 

 cows, and sheep ; and live by agriculture. The 

 Mlayas are usually about five feet eight inches in 

 stature. Their forms and proportions appear to me 

 most perfect, and far superior to those of Europeans, 

 or any other people I have seen. They regard 

 themselves as the noblest people upon the face of 

 the earth, the most generous, the most faithful and 

 valiant ; and they consider the Europeans in all 

 respects inferior." 



It would be easy to multiply these extracts on 

 the several nations to an almost indefinite extent ; 

 but we must have done. Our author has a chapter 

 of general reflections upon their condition. Their 

 physical powers he holds in high admiration. " I 

 admire," he says, " their superior stature, the size 

 and elegance of their forms and proportions, which 

 are not equalled in any part of the world." Nor is 

 he singular in this opinion. Sir Francis Head has 

 more recently said. " During my gallop in South 

 America, I had little time or opportunity to see 

 many of the Indians ; yet from what I did hear 

 and see, I sincerely believe they are as fine a set of 

 men as ever existed, under the circumstances in 

 which they are placed." * As it regards their mental 

 * Rough Notes, &c, 



