AFRICA. 237 
heart. Alas! how mifchievous in Its efFedls 
and how difficult to countered: is common 
fame ! 
For myfelf, who, far from fearing the Hou-' 
2ouanas, had felt pleafure from their fociety, 
and entertained an affedion for them, I once 
more confefs that I did not part from them 
without regret ; that I found them an active, 
laborious, and intelligent race of men, ever 
ready to oblige in fpite of obftacles, and fu- 
perior to other favages both in courage and 
abiHty. 
What indeed particularly Infpired me with 
a prediledion in their favour, was their open 
and fmiling countenance. Such is the habitual 
ftate of their features, that the gloomy and 
dubious impreffion of uneafmefs and miftrufl: 
is never perceptible on them. The Hou- 
zouana, it is true, has violent paffions, and, 
when he is under their influence, they are de- 
pided on his countenance in a forcible and 
ftriking manner : but the ftorm is of fliort du- 
ration ; he foon comes to himfelf, and his face 
inftantly refumes the expreffion of his frank, 
unfufpeding, and loyal mind. 
Among all the other African nations, almoft 
with- 
