AFRICA. t4^ 
of an adventure that fhould coft the life of a 
fingle indivlduaU It is in the name of hu- 
manity that I here exclaim againft the impu- 
dent pretenfions of thofe travellers, who would 
go to the diftance of four thoufand leagues 
from their native foil, to fubdue by the fword 
their fellow creatures, and make them adopt 
even their moft ridiculous follies. By naturej^ 
man is neither good nor bad ; fociety alone 
can render him worthlefs. It requires no little 
addrefs and fmcerity to diveft ourfelves all ^ 
once of our prejudices, and rife to a level with 
thofe whofe confidence and love it may be ne- 
celTary to gain. 
I did not delay, till the moment of my de- 
parture, to provide myfelf with merchandife 
for barter, which might be ufeful to me in my 
route. Whenever a veffel had brought any 
trinkets to the Cape, I procured an aflbrtment 
of them, and I had taken my precautions fo 
far back, as to be under no uneafinefs on that 
head. My provifion of lead, tobacco, glafs- 
ware, nails, and, above all, knives and tinder- 
boxes, was ready; and as my journey was to 
continue longer than the firft, I had doubled 
the quantity, intending ftill to augment them 
Ihould 
