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has excited much wonder, and given birth to much erroneous and 
unprofitable speculation. While, on the one hand, the native of 
Uindostan has been represented as shuddering at the sight of 
human blood, as carrying this terror to the most troublesome ex- 
cess; to an excess, which prevents him from destrojung the most 
noxious animals, or of partaking of such as were designed for the 
use of man; and while he has been represented as sunk in the 
most degrading inactivity; on the other hand, the same character 
is distinguished by such acts of deliberate cruelty, of undaunted 
resolution, and of painful and continued exertion, as sometimes 
astonish, and sometimes disgust; such acts as surpass all credibi- 
lity, and even exceed description. This union, so unnatural and 
discordant, can never be distinctly explained nor understood, but 
by tracing the steps which led to its formation; by shewing in 
what manner the different kinds of superstition have been so 
blended with each other, as, at length, to compose one confused 
whole.’" 
“ ’J’he facts which have been adduced, will contribute to decide 
how far the national character may be influenced by climate; and 
and how far the power of religious enthusiasm may exclude 
climate from any share in its formation. We here behold a people, 
living under a temperature favourable to voluptuousness, and, in 
some measure, taking the complexion of their national character 
from its influence: living in that state of oscitancy, which arises 
from natural imbecility, or oppressed by that lassitude which pro- 
ceeds from intemperate gratification. But we also see the same 
people, when the force of religious impressions stimulates their 
