£512 
HISTORY OF THE [book. it. 
duces a turn of mind and disposition unfriendly to 
mental improvement. Among such of the natives, 
as have happily escaped the contagion and enerva¬ 
ting effects of youthful excesses, men are found of 
capacities as strong and permanent, as among any 
people whatever, 
As I cannot therefore admit, that the Creoles in 
general possess less capacity and stability of mind 
than the natives of Europe, much less can I allow, 
that they fall short of them in those qualities of 
the heart which render man a blessing to all around 
him. Generosity to each other, and a high degree 
of compassion and kindness towards their inferiors 
and dependants, distinguish the Creoles in a very 
honourable manner A If they are proud, their pride 
is allied to no meanness, Instructed from their 
infancy to entertain a very high opinion of their 
own consequence, they are cautious of doing any 
act which may lessen the consciousness of their 
proper dignity. From the same cause they scorn 
evqry species of concealment. They have a frank¬ 
ness of disposition beyond any people on earth. 
Their confidence is unlimited and entire. Superior 
to falsehood themselves, they suspect it not in 
others. 
* i( Adventurers from Europe are universally more cruel and rao- 
** rose towards the slaves than the creoles or native West Indians.” 
Ramsay, Essay on the Treatment and Conversion of the 
Slaves, &c, 
/ 
