PROFESSOR TIEDEMANN ON THE BRAIN OF THE NEGRO. 
523 
on the coasts. They are active, diligent, and industrious. We learn from all those 
travellers who have lately explored the interior of Africa, as Mungo Park, Golbery, 
Lucas, ITornemann, Burchell, Denham, Clapperton and others, that there already 
exists in districts remote from the coast a considerable degree of industry, and that 
no small progress has been made in several of the useful arts. It is also remarkable, 
that though these gentlemen travelled in various directions, and from points of the 
continent widely remote from each other, they all found the same striking contrast 
between the interior and the coast. 
“ The Negroes in general,” says Mungo Park, “ are considered by the whites of the 
coast as an indolent and inactive people : I think without reason. The nature of the 
climate is indeed unfavourable to great exertion; but surely a people cannot justly 
be denominated habitually indolent, whose wants are supplied, not by the spontaneous 
productions of nature, but by their own exertions. Few people work harder, when 
occasion requires, than the Mandingoes.” 
Lucas, Denham, and Clapperton say the same of the Soosoos, Fulahs, Felletas, 
the inhabitants of Sudan, Fezzan, Born, Houssa, Kashna, and Beghharmi. The pro- 
ductions of these countries are, different kinds of grain, garden-fruits, tobacco, indigo, 
cotton, beeswax, honey, gums, and woods used in dyeing. But of all these produc- 
tions, which can only be obtained by cultivation and labour, the natives only grow 
sufficient for their own immediate use, as they have but few opportunities of turning 
to advantage the superfluous produce of their labour. They have vast herds of cattle, 
and occupy themselves with breeding horses and camels. In their great towns 
there are many mechanics, smiths, weavers, dyers, tanners, ropemakers, potters, 
and even goldsmiths and silversmiths. Mungo Park says: “But perhaps their inge- 
nuity is most conspicuously displayed in working their native gold ; for not only are 
they well acquainted with the preparation and use of an alkaline salt to assist in 
liquefying the metal, but in ornaments which they make from it ; such as bracelets, 
necklaces, and ear-drops, to adorn their females, in which they display a variety of 
taste and an elegance of fancy that might excite admiration even among the best 
artists of Europe.” 
We may see by this that the Negroes in their native land are by no means indo- 
lent and inactive, or incapable of industry. They may be considered, on the contrary, 
as an industrious people. 
The moral character and disposition of those Negroes who are not degenerated and 
ruined by slavery is in general very good. They are naturally affectionate, and 
ardently attached to their children, parents, friends, and countrymen. Their feelings 
of honesty, humanity, generosity, and gratitude are very acute. Their dispositions and 
manners are gentle, benevolent, and amiable. The Negro tribes are very hospitable 
towards each other as well as towards strangers. Travellers are heartily welcome to 
partake of whatever the family board affords. The little which they have they will 
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