PLATE LVII. 



and whose most perfect forms were never designed by nature to 

 emulate the noble structure of our race. 



But the mind of the philosopher will triumph over the prejudices 

 which prevail with the inconsiderate. In forming an estimate of the 

 mental powers, the instincts, and varied propensities of the Simia 

 race, he will not forget that in despite of the mortified pride of man, 

 they constitute that link of beings which the Creator has appointed 

 to connect the series of animated nature: the intermediate beings 

 between mankind and the brute creation. And instead of regarding 

 this approximation with disgust he will be more reverently disposed 

 to acknowledge with humihty the favour of that Omnipotence who 

 has endowed a form so analogous to this race of creatures, with a 

 mind of such surpassing excellence. 



In forming a just conclusion of the parallel between the Simise 

 and the human race, the true philosopher will not fix as the model 

 of their conformation the Apollo and the Venus of the ancient world ; 

 nor the perfections of their living semblances in modern times. Nor, 

 will the intellectual powers of human wisdom, ennobled by those ad- 

 vantages which the arts of refined society can confer, be for amoment 

 placed as the standard of comparison with their intelligence. To 

 appreciate these justly, instead of the most exalted he will be mindful 

 of the lowest state of human nature. The frigid Esquimaux and 

 Kamtschatkadale, the sooty African of the desert, the Boshraan 

 Negro,* and the Hottentot of Caffraria will afford comparatives of 



* Lichstenstein's Travels in Africa. 



Barrov^'s Cape of Good Hope, &c. 



