AN ACCOUNT OF, &c. 439 



a long series of years, like those of the Egyp- 

 tians, be changed. On the other hand, their 

 present external appearance may possibly be 

 regarded not only as a sign, but as a cause of 

 their degraded condition, by preventing, in 

 some unknown way, the proper developement 

 of their mental faculties ; for the African ne- 

 groes have in all ages been slaves ; and the 

 negroes in the eastern seas are in no instance, 

 I believe, masters of their handsomer neigh- 

 bours, but are in many places in entire subjec- 

 tion to them, though the latter be frequently 

 less numerous. 



It will no doubt be objected, to what I have 

 advanced respecting the difference of colour 

 between Europeans and Africans, that the 

 Indian inhabitants of the greater part of the 

 immense continent of America have skins 

 nearly of one hue. Plausible reasons may, I 

 think, be given for this fact, consistently with 

 what has been said* upon the colour of the two 

 former races; but I forbear trespassing any 

 longer upon the time of the reader, in discuss- 

 ing a subject which admits only of conjectural 

 reasoning. 



THE END. 



