THE ARABIAN RACE. 



227 



EUROPEAN COLONISTS. 



At tlie present day, Europeans and their descendants, are to be 

 found in nnost parts of tlie globe that are accessible by sea; the East- 

 ern coast of Asia, together with New Guinea and the neighbouring 

 islands, forming the only considerable exceptions. This modern ex- 

 tension of the White race, has not been represented on the accompa- 

 nying map ; but it should be observed, that the intrusion on other 

 races, has been much more feeble than is commonly supposed, and 

 that in no other part of the world, has so great a change taken place 

 as in North America. 



Although separate notices seem hardly to be required, I have con- 

 cluded to insert the following; from notes taken chiefly during the 

 progress of the Exploring Expedition. 



Madeira, having been discovered in modern times, and having been 

 found uninhabited, must be regarded as a colony ; although in the 

 character of its population, it seems rather to form a part of Europe. 

 A week spent at this island, chiefly in a journey with horses of 

 nearly a hundred miles, afforded me a fair opportunity of seeing the 

 inhabitants. According to an idea commonly entertained in regard to 

 the Spanish and Portuguese, I had anticipated universal swarthiness, 

 with the hair and eyes invariably black ; but I found as much va- 

 riety in complexion and feature as at home, and many instances even 

 of flaxen hair. 



The singularly rugged character of the surface, (the roads intersect- 

 ing deep mountain ravines and leading along the brink of frightful 

 precipices,) tends greatly to impede intercourse. At San Vincente, 

 on the northern coast, we were told that but three travellers had 

 visited the place during the preceding four months: and one of the 

 Catholic Fathers residing there, had grown gray in that single ra- 

 vine, which he had never once left since his first arrival. 



The peasantry of Madeira, appeared to be laborious, civil, and sober; 

 but the idea of political rights, in all probability, seldom enters their 

 heads; it may be doubted, whether the news of the great world 

 around, ever reaches them. In secluded situations, we sometimes 

 met with young persons in a state of nudity, and on one occasion, 

 with several who were nearly full-firown. The strange tone of 



