EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 265 



the qualms of confcience ; but whether they are, upon this c H A P. 

 account, better or worfe, I will not pretend to determine. XX VI. 

 — I however think that they are a happy people, and 

 poflefs fo much friendfhip for one another, that they 

 need not be told to " love their neighbour as themfelves;" 

 fince the pooreft negro, having only an egg, fcorns to eat 

 it alone ; but were a dozen prefent, and every one a 

 ftranger, he would cut or break it into jufl as many 

 lhares; or were there one lingle dram of rum, he would 

 divide it among the fame number : this is not done, 

 however, until a few drops are firft fprinkled on the 

 ground, as an oblation to the gods. — Approach then here, 

 thou canting hypocrite, and take an example from thy 

 illiterate fable brother ! — From what I fometimes throw 

 out, however, let it not be underftood that I am an ene- 

 my to religious worfhip — God forbid ! But I ever will 

 profefs myfelf the greateft friend to thofe whofe a(flions 

 beft correfpond with their doctrine; which, I am forry 

 to fay, is too feldom the cafe amongft thofe nations who 

 pretend moft to civilization. 



If favage nations be commonly generous and faithful, 

 they are not, however, without their dark fliades ; and 

 among thefe, the moft confpicuous is a pronenefs to an- 

 ger and revenge. I never knew a negro indeed forgive 

 thofe who had wilfully offended him. The ftrength of 

 this paffion can only be equalled by their gratitude ; for, 

 amongft them, it may be truly faid, that 



Vol. II. 



M m 



" A generous 



