864 



Indies to the forests of the Upper Oroon ok o and 

 of the Amazon. The fertile land of the shore, 

 the centre of agricultural riches, is succeeded 

 by the steppes, inhabited by pastoral tribes- 

 These steppes are in their turn bordered by the 

 region of forests, the inhabitants of which enjoy, 

 I will not say liberty, which is always the result 

 of civilization, but a savage independance. On 

 the limit of these two latter zones the struggle 

 now exists, which will decide the emancipation 

 and future prosperity of America. The changes 

 which are preparing cannot efface the individual 

 character of each region ; but the manners and 

 condition of the inhabitants will assume a more 

 uniform colour. This consideration perhaps 

 adds an interest to a tour, made in the begin- 

 ning of the 19th century. We like to see traced 

 in the same picture the civilized nations of the 

 shore, and the feeble remains of the natives of 

 the Oroonoko, who know no other worship than 

 that of the powers of nature ; and who, like the 

 Germans of Tacitus, deorum nominibus appellant 

 secretum Mud, quod sold reverentid indent. 



