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256 



SLAVERY. 



can be taught to perform any labour above that 

 of the simplest description ; and sometimes they 

 remain for years unbaptized, from the great 

 trouble which is required in making them arti- 

 culate any sounds to which they have not been 

 accustomed. Yet it is rather that they will not 

 be taught, than that they cannot learn, for 1 

 have heard many planters say, that if a Gabnn. 

 negro can be made cheerful, and is induced to 

 take an interest in those persons who are around 

 him and in his occupations, he becomes a most 

 useful and intelligent slave. The Gabam negroes 

 are tall and handsome, and their skins are very 

 black and shining ; the features of many of 

 them are good, being much less flat and blunt 

 than those of their countrymen in general. 



The Mosambique negroes are a poor and ugly 

 race of beings, languid and inactive, and sub- 

 ject to despondency. Their colour inclines 

 to brown, but still they have completely the 

 negro features. As the price of these slaves is 

 much below that of any other description of 

 negroes, some of the planters have taken them 

 on trial, but they are said to have many of the 

 bad qualities of the Gaboons, without their 

 hardiness. 



A negro will sometimes tell his master that he 

 is determined to die, and too often the effects 

 of his resolve begin shortly afterwards to be 

 perceived ; he becomes thin, loses his appetite. 



