i6o TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
afterwards perfeded by the Greeks, and for all thofe monu- 
ments of art, the feint remains of which ftill excite admiration, 
to a people of that defcription. 
The philanthropy of Volney has induced him to rely more 
on the arguments he adduces in fupport of his hypothefis, 
than the nature of thofe arguments feems to admit : and the 
authority of an author who juflly holds fo high a place in the 
public eftimation, is fufHcient to give currency to error. 
If plaufible arguments were brought to eftablifli the dodtrinc 
here mentioned, it would be unreafonable to refufe aiTent to it 
folely as militating againfl; a commonly received opinion. But 
to fix beyond controverfy an hiftorical fad:, more furely is re- 
quired than ingenious conjedure, fancied refemblances, and 
quotations of but dubious meaning. 
The fubjed in queftion ought not to be clouded by any 
prejudicated opinion relative to the phyfical differences between 
the white and black race of men. The evidence fhould be 
patiently weighed, and the whole left to ftand on a folid bafis, 
or fall by its own infirmity. 
The Coptic language bears a raanifeft relationfhip to the 
Arabic and Syriac, as Volney allows. But are the languages 
allied, and the nations who fpeak them ftrangers to each other ? 
It would feem, on the contrary, the fubjed of proof, that if the 
languages be indeed cognate, the nations who fpeak them muft 
have proceeded from one parent flock j for what refemblance 
between 
