STATE OF AFRICA. 
48.5 
When we pass to the south of the central chain 
of rivers, we find all Africa filled with a population 
entirely native. Among the tribes belonging to 
the Negro race, a few are found who have been 
converted to the Mahometan faith. This new pro- 
fession, however, is always qualified with a large 
mixture of their ancient superstitions. In parti- 
cular, it is never accompanied with those recluse 
and austere habits, which form the essence, as it 
were, of a genuine Musulman, Improvidence, gen- 
tleness, and the abandon of thoughtless gaiety, ap- 
pear to compose the loading features in the Negro 
character. In a fertile soil, which supplies the ne- 
cessaries of life with little labour ; with few natu- 
ral wants, and strangers to artificial ones, they de- 
vote themselves wholly to pleasure. Music and 
dancing are indulged in with passion throughout all 
native Africa. From the period of sunset, says 
Golberry, " all Africa dances." Polygamy is still 
more characteristic of Pagan than of Mahometan Af- 
rica; but it is not accompanied with that jealous and 
immuring system which characterizes the Moors. 
In most parts of Africa, according to the best in- 
formed travellers, the sex enjoy nearly the same 
degree of liberty as in Europe, without in general 
abusing it. That exemption from labour, indeed, 
which is enjoyed by the inmates of the Moorish ha- 
rams, is quite unknown here ; all the laborious tasks 
are devolved upon the females, as upon slaves. 
