CHAP. IX.] FOR THE NATIVES ? 137 



animals, the destruction was stayed, and their num- 

 bers have again increased. In these cases it has 

 generally been the introduction of different species 

 of animals or of man, and the physical changes 

 thence resulting, that have occasioned the exter- 

 mination of certain species which were unable to 

 resist their effects. But man, I believe, does not 

 stand in this position. All our researches into his 

 history lead us to conclude that the races are not 

 different in their origin, and forbid the idea of in- 

 feriority, and of the necessity of one race being 

 superseded by another. I am of opinion that man, 

 in his desires, passions, and intellectual faculties, is 

 the same, whatever be the colour of his skin ; that 

 mankind forms a great whole, in which the differ- 

 ent races are the radii from a common centre; and 

 that the differences which we observe are due to 

 peculiar circumstances which have developed certain 

 qualities of body and mind. Man, even in the 

 state of barbarism in which the Polynesian nations 

 remain, is superior in many respects to a large 

 proportion of the population of Europe. That he 

 gives way before the European, and is gradually 

 exterminated, whilst it shows our superiority in 

 some points, shows also our deficiency in the arts of 

 civilization and moral government, which disables 

 us from uniting his savage simplicity and his virtues 

 to what our state of society might offer to im- 

 prove his condition, and which causes him merely 

 to taste what is bitter in civilized life. But this by 



