45 



spite of the retreating forehead, and the depressed 

 vertex. 



Indeed, Sir, under these circumstances, I see 

 no reason why * " Missionaries or Bible Socie- 

 " ties, the conductors of either Bell or Lancaster 

 " Schools/' should despair of overcoming the 

 obstacles to their civilization and conversion to 

 Christianity. Since you have kindly furnished 

 us with this information, we cannot any longer 

 doubt, " whether they are capable of fathoming 

 " the depths of science, and of understanding, 

 " and appreciating the doctrines and mysteries 

 " of our religion. " As to the latter point, Sir, 

 I fear that you labour under some sad misap- 

 prehensions, since the Author of this religion 

 designed it particularly for the poor and igno- 

 rant, and has told us that we must become as 

 " little children" ere we can enter into its spirit, 

 or enjoy its benefits. 



" To expect," * you add, " that the Ameri- 

 " cans or Africans can be raised by any culture 

 <c to an equal height in moral sentiments and in- 

 " tellectual energy with Europeans, appears to 

 " me quite as unreasonable as it would be to 

 " hope that the bull-dog may equal the grey- 

 " hound in speed ; that the latter may be taught 

 " to hunt by scent, like the hound ; or that the 

 " mastiff may rival in talents and acquirements 

 " the sagacious and docile poodle." I will not 

 pretend to reconcile these opinions with the 



P. 501. 



