INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 273 
which they allege is inhabited by cannibals of gigantic size, 
called Komi. This country they call Jong sang doo, " the 
*' land where the slaves are sold." Bat of all countries in the 
world their own appears to them as the best, and their own 
people as the happiest ; and they pity the fate of other nations, 
who have been placed by Providence in less fertile and less 
fortunate districts. 
Some of the religious opinions of the Negroes, though 
blended with the weakest credulity and superstition, are not 
unworthy attention. I have conversed with all ranks and con- 
ditions, upon the subject of their faith, and can pronounce, 
without the smallest shadow of doubt, that the belief of one 
God, and of a future state of reward and punishment, is entire 
and universal among them. It is remarkable, however, that 
except on the appearance of a new moon, as before related, 
the Pagan natives do not think it necessary to offer up prayers 
and supplications to the Almighty. They represent the Deity, 
indeed, as the creator and preserver of all things ; but in general 
they consider him as a Being so remote, and of so exalted a 
nature, that it is idle to imagine the feeble supplications of 
wretched mortals can reverse the decrees, and change the pur- 
poses of unerring Wisdom. If they are asked, for what reason 
then do they offer up a prayer on the appearance of the new 
moon ; the answer is, that custom has made it necessary : they 
do it because their fathers did it before them. Such is the 
blindness of unassisted nature ! The concerns of this world, they 
believe,' are committed by the Almighty ,to the superintendance 
and direction of subordinate spirits, over whom they suppose 
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