18 PRINCIPAL VARIETIES 



der of the world. These people, except towards the 

 north among the Esquimaux, where they resemble the 

 Laplanders, are of a red or copper colour ; with less 

 variation, however, than might be expected in such a 

 diversity of climates. They have all black straight hair, 

 and thin beards (which latter, however, they take care to 

 extirpate, wholly or in part), flat noses, high cheek-bones, 

 and small eyes. Various deformities are created by art 

 among different tribes, under the idea of beauty ; and for 

 this purpose they paint the body and face in a manner 

 truly hideous, if judged according to the standard of 

 European taste and manners. 



Though frequently of an equal stature with us, they 

 are less muscular and strong ; which may possibly be an 

 effect of the climate, or of their food. Certain it is, that 

 a stranger no sooner lands on the continent of America, 

 than he is struck with the flaccid, whitish, wan appear- 

 ance, even of the descendants of Europeans, among the 

 natives of the New World : and if the productions of 

 the soil, and the temperature of the air, have had such a 

 perceptible influence on the inhabitants, in perhaps but a 

 few years, what may not be expected from the operation of 

 these causes in a series of ages ? 



The American Indians are not only more feeble than 

 many of the European nations, but also more pusillani- 

 mous, or at least more backward in facing danger : but 

 no sooner do they find it inevitable, than their courage 

 (which seems, however, of a passive kind) is excited to 

 the highest possible degree ; and they are ready to bear, 

 as well as inflict, the cruellest torture that savage inge- 

 nuity can invent. Patient in adversity, and familiar with 

 fatigues and hardships, they manifest a Stoical apathy in 

 circumstances and accidents which would appear very 

 distressing to an European ; but all that is rather, per- 

 haps, the effect of custom and education, than of genuine 

 magnanimity. They appear uncommonly grave and 

 serious, though devoid of mental application ; and, in 

 proportion as they are barbarous to their conquered ene- 



