IN THE HUMAN RACE. 17 



ment ; but this is rather the effect of a deficiency of ani- 

 mation, than any mark of superior wisdom. The Persians 

 and Arabians may be referred to this class ; which, in- 

 cluding the inhabitants of the widely-dispersed islands in 

 the Oriental ocean, constitute a very large portion of 

 mankind. 



The negroes of Africa form a well-defined and striking 

 variety of our species, which may be called the FOURTH. 

 This sable race is extended over all the southern parts of 

 that quarter of the world : and though there are various 

 shades of distinction in point of colour and features, all 

 may be grouped with propriety in the same picture. As 

 among Europeans, we find among them also some hand- 

 somer than others ; all, however, have the black colour, 

 the velvet smooth skin, and the soft frizzled hair. Their 

 eyes are generally of a deep hazel, their noses flat and 

 short, their lips thick and prominent, and their teeth of 

 the whiteness of ivory. Weakened by the climate, their 

 flesh is flabby, and their whole frame relaxed ; while their 

 mental powers, in general, participate the imbecility of 

 their bodies. Stupid, indolent, and often mischievous, 

 they possess few qualities that can attract regard : yet 

 religion, reason, and humanity, all conspire to induce us 

 to treat them, when in our power, with mildness and 

 justice ; or rather to leave them unmolested in their native 

 enjoyments, however imperfect ; unless by introducing 

 the arts of civilisation and the principles of Christian 

 duty, we could multiply the number of their blessings, and 

 alleviate their ills. When will the slave trade be anni- 

 hilated in reality as well as in name ! 



Among these people are sometimes found individuals 

 of a white milky complexion, called Albinoes. These, 

 however, no more constitute a distinct race, than persons 

 affected by the small-pox, or bearing the marks of it, 

 among ourselves. 



We shall find the FIFTH variety of the human species 

 among the aboriginal Americans : who are as distinct in 

 colour, as in their place of residence, from the remain- 



