23 4 
Aromatic gales and spicy groves; trees adorned by Flora and 
Pomona; pellucid lakes and murmuring fountains; charm in 
poetical descriptions: we wish to dwell in such delightful scenes; 
a residence in the torrid zone convinces us of their fallacy: hot- 
winds, and arid plains, unrefreshed by a cooling breeze or living 
spring, annoy the Asiatic traveller: and admitting the existence 
of such pleasures in the temperate climate and fertile provinces of 
Hindustan, we know from experience, that a constant possession 
of the loveliest objects, often renders them insipid: the revolving 
seasons and variety of Europe, seem more congenial to an Eng- 
lishman than the luxurious monotony of India, even in its most 
pleasing form. 
The inhabitants of the torrid zone are generally indolent and 
effeminate; the climate is equally inimical to bodily and mental 
exertion: physical causes produce these effects, but they are strongly 
aided by a system of tyranny which prevents every manly effort. 
History shews the fatal effects of arbitrary power, and effeminate 
indulgence; Alexander himself could not withstand them; after 
the conquest of Persia, he thought the habit and manners of the 
Macedonian kings inadequate to his greatness; he chose to be 
treated like the Persian monarchs, and reverenced after the man- 
ner of the gods: lie therefore suffered persons, in token of their 
respect, to prostrate themselves upon the ground before him. 
Happily Phocion, Niocles, Sidney, and similar characters, oc- 
casionally shew us wherein true greatness consists: the Hindoo 
chieftain, and Mahomedan nobleman, kiss the mandate of death 
with the servility which marked their character through life, and 
submit to the mute and bow-string with the same stoical indiffer- 
