45° 



Ikin, which gives them a foft fulnefs of form 

 unlike the rough-lined fparenefs of the ne- 

 groes, or the ftrong-lined vigour of the in- 

 habitants of colder regions : but we did not 

 fee, among the people of the woods, a fingle 

 inftanoe of the heavy, protruding obefity fo 

 frequent among the luxurious fons of civilized 

 fociety. Figures, it is true, may be found 

 among them as lean as hard-toiling Haves — 

 but perhaps no Indian was ever feen palpita- 

 ting under that oppreffive protuberance of fat, 

 which the Ions vivans of Europe, and particu- 

 larly the beef-eating fubje&s of England fo 

 frequently carry before them. 



This circumftance may tend to (hew that 

 great obefity is only the effect of indolence, 

 or good living, or of both a&ing together ; and 

 that by a due obfervance of exercife and ab- 

 ftemioufnefs it might, in all cafes, be prevented. 

 Perhaps no Weft India planter ever loft the la- 

 bour of a Have from his being overloaded 

 with fat : nor did Alexander or Hannibal, af- 

 ter 3. long and fevere campaign, ever fee their 

 armies thinned in confequence of their foldiers 

 being oppreffed with obefity. Indeed the 



