NEGRO POPULATION. 
499 
Africa ; but it is not accompanied with that jea- 
lous and immuring system which characterizes 
the Moors. In most parts of Africa, according 
to the best informed 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 in- 
mates of the Moorish harams, is quite unknown 
here ; all the laborious tasks are devolved upon 
the females, as upon slaves. Each, however, has 
a house, that is, a small cottage, of her own ; and 
all which it contains, being the fruit of her indus- 
try, is considered as her property. The negroes 
appear to entertain some vague ideas of the prin- 
ciples of natural religion ; but, in general, their 
sole reliance is placed upon charms or fetiches, 
the use of inanimate and insignificant objects, as 
a panoply against all the evils to which human 
nature is liable. An impression so deeply rooted 
in the human mind as that of supernatural agency, 
joined to the ignorance which prevails in this 
state of society, leaves open a wide field to im- 
posture. Numerous, accordingly, in all these 
countries, are those who, by a pretence to super- 
human powers, maintain an influence, and extort 
ample gifts from their unenlightened country, 
men. Magic and feticherie in many countries 
are viewed as secrets of state, and the main in- 
struments for holding the people in subjection. 
