THE NEGRO RACE. 



185 



In passing through the Mediterranean Countries, I observed two or 

 three Negroes at Malta; and as many, at Marseilles; but I met with 

 none at the Sicilian and Italian ports, nor in the Interior of France. 



The general excellence of the Negro ear for music, is a subject of 

 common remark in the United States ; and is manifested in many of 

 the ordinary occurrences of life. Indeed it has been stated, apparent- 

 ly on sufficient grounds, that much of our popular music can be traced 

 to a Negro origin. Observations on my recent journey, have led me 

 to suspect that some of this music may have a yet more distant 

 source, and one perhaps more ancient than is commonly supposed. 



b. Arahized Negroes. 



With the exception of the two individuals at Singapore, I first saw 

 Muslim Negroes in Egypt. In this country, the Negroes seem to be 

 in a good measure confined to the two cities of Cairo and Alexandria; 

 and, excepting a large body of soldiers, are principally employed as 

 house-servants. It sometimes happens, that one of them "inherits his 

 master's property together with the charge of his family;" in accor- 

 dance apparently, with ancient usage, with Abraham's selection of an 

 heir from among the members of his household. 



Negroes are occasionally purchased and educated both by Copts 

 and by resident Europeans; but the influences of locality prevailing, 

 they do not form a distinct class from the Muslim Negroes. I do 

 not remember to have seen Negro servants among the Jews, either at 

 Cairo, or anywhere in the East. 



I did not in Egypt observe Negroes engaged in the labours of agri- 

 culture. Neither, indeed, are they so represented on the ancient 

 monuments; where Whites, distinguished by their profile from the 

 proper Egyptians, are often serving in the capacity of slaves. Ne- 

 groes are figured, principally in connexion with, and as illustrating 

 the military campaigns of the Eighteenth dynasty ; and there is evi- 

 dence, moreover, that one of the Pharaohs of this dynasty (Thouth- 

 mosis IV.), selected a negress for his queen. I do not remember 

 seeing Negroes represented on the anterior monuments ; nor indeed 

 on those of a much later date; though I did not, as carefully as the 

 case requires, search the records of the Ptolemaic conquests. 



I am not aware of any fact contravening the assumption that Negro 



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