394. HISTORY OF 



nation would treat a savage one ; and we may readily judge 

 of the rudeness of those manners, which even a nation of Ca- 

 nada can think more barbarous than his own. 



But the gradations of nature are imperceptible ; and, while 

 the north is peopled with such miserable inhabitants, there are 

 here and there to be found, upon the edges of these regions, peo- 

 ple of a larger stature, and completer figure. A whole race of 

 the dwarfish breed is often found to come down from the north, 

 and settle more to the southward ; and, on the contrary, it some 

 times happens that southern nations are seen higher up, in the 

 midst of these diminutive tribes, where they have continued for 

 time immemorial. Thus the Ostiac Tartars seem to be a race 

 that have travelled down from the north, and to be originally 

 sprung from the minute savages vce have been describing. 

 There are also Noi-wegians and Finlanders, of proper stature, 

 who are seen to inhabit in latitudes higher even than Lapland. 

 These, however, are but accidental migrations, and serve as 

 shades to unite the distinct varieties of mankind. 



The second great variety in the human species, seem to be 

 that of the Tartar race ; from whence, probably, the little men 

 we have been describing originally proceeded. The Tartar 

 country, taken in general, comprehends the greatest part of 

 Asia ; and is, consequently, a general name given to a number 

 of nations, of various forms and complexions. But, however 

 they seem to differ from each other, they all agree in being very 

 unlike the people of any other country. All these nations have 

 the upper part of the visage very broad, and wrinkled even 

 while yet in their youth. Their noses are short and flat, their 

 eyes little, and sunk in their heads ; and, in some of them, they 

 are seen five or six inches asunder. Their cheek-bones are high, 

 the lower part of their visage narrow, the chin long and advanced 

 forward, their teeth of an enormous size, and growing separate 

 from each other ; their eyebrows thick, large, and covering their 

 eyes ; their eyelids thick, the face broad and flat, the complex- 

 ion olive-coloured, and the hair black. They are of a middle 

 size, extremely strong, and very robust- They have but little 

 beard, which grows straggling on the chin. They have large 

 thighs, and short legs. The ugliest of all are the Calmucks, in 

 whose appearance there seems to be something frightful. They all 

 lead an erratic life, remaining under tents of hair, or skins. 



