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the Greenlanders and Laplanders of the North.. I will not, how- 

 ever, deny, that perhaps the mofl proper means have not hitherto 

 been employed, in bringing this difficult undertaking, even fo far,, 

 that a rational probability of a very diftant fuccefs, might be ex 

 pe<fled. The above-mentioned articles form the point of view, 

 under which we now would wilh every body to conlider the more- 

 civilized ilate of the tropical nations in the South-Seasw- 



We found the illes in the South-Sea very populous; and fronx 



f 



>■ 



'. 



the accounts of former navigators, they were fo, more than i8o 

 years ago, and in the very 



% 



condition. In regard 



to Eappinefs, iix 



which we ourfelves obferved them -, fo that we may be fure, that; 

 t^eir civil or focial eflablifliment is of a long flanding.. ' 



It. i& hardly credible,, that the inhabitants v/ere very nunierous 

 when they firil occupied thefe illes ; but the eafe and facility with, 

 which they can fupport their lives, and fatisfy the natural and moft 



■ 



preffing wants, the early puberty in fo mild and. fo happy a climate^,, 

 the few difeafes which are obferved in nations ufed to a jQmple and 



r 



falubrious food, are certainly reafons for fuppoiing that they foon. 



■■ 4 



increafed, and gradually filled the illands which they had occu- 

 pied.— The firil inhabitants had not the leafl 



pro 



curing their fubliflence,. as- the fea and the fruits of various trees^^ 

 fufficiently afforded them the neceffary food : but in proportion as 

 theirnumbers increafed, their fubfiftence of courfe mufl become 



more-; 



PRINCI- 

 PLES OE 

 SOCIE- 

 TIES*. 



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