m 



bees), who are descended from Negroes and true 

 Caribbees *. The barbarous habit of flattening 

 the forehead is found among several nations 

 that are not of the same race ; and has been 

 observed recently as far as in North America ; 

 but nothing is more vague than the conclusion, 

 that some conformity of customs and manners 

 proves an identity of origin. The traveller, who 

 observes the spirit of order and submission, that 

 prevails in the Caribbee missions, can scarcely 



* These unhappy remains of a people heretofore powerful 

 were banished, in 1795, to the island of Rattam, in the bay 

 of Honduras, because they were accused by the English 

 government of having connexions with the French. An able 

 minister, Mr. JLescallier, had proposed (1760) to the court of 

 Versailles, to invite the red and black Caribbees from Saint 

 Vincent to Guyana, and employ them as free men in the cul- 

 tivation of the land. I doubt if their number at that period 

 amounted to six thousand ; the island of Saint Vincent con- 

 taining in 1787 not more than fourteen thousand inhabitants 

 of all colours. (Lescallier, sur la Guyanefrancaise, p. 47.) 



t For instance, the Tapoyranas of Guyana (Barrere, p. 

 239), the Solkeeks of Upper Louisiana (Walckenaer, Cosmogr., 

 p. 583). " Los Indies de Cumana," says Gomara (Hut. de 

 Ind., fol. xlv), " aprietan a los ninos la cabeca muy blando, 

 pero mucho, entre dos almohadillas de algodon para ensan- 

 char los la cara, que lo tienen por hermosura. Las donzellas 

 van de todo punto desnudas. Traen seoogiles muy apretados 

 por debaxo y encima de las rodillas, para que los muslos y 

 pautorillas engorden mucbo. Dan las novias a los piaches, 

 hombres sanctos y religiosos. Los reverendos padres toman 

 aquel trabajo y los novios se quitan de sospecha, quexa y 

 pena." 



