chap, i.] WEST INDIES. 213 
How far this nobleness of disposition may be 
ascribed to the influence of a genial climate, and 
how far to education and example, I presume not 
to discriminate. The effects of heat on the body 
are sufficiently visible; but perhaps philosophers 
have relied too much on a supposed sympathy be¬ 
tween the body and mind. The natives of hot 
climates” (says one writer) “ are slothful and 
timid;” but timidity is by no means the necessary 
consequence of indolence. The mind may require 
great force to rouse it to due exertion; but, being 
properly urged may display qualities very opposite 
to those of a timid disposition. At least, timidity 
constitutes no part of the character of the natives 
'of the British West Indies. Indolence I admit is 
too predominant among them; but that they are 
deficient in personal courage, no man, who has the 
smallest acquaintance with them, will allow for a 
moment. Even the indolence of which they are ac¬ 
cused, is rather an aversion to serious thought and 
deep reflection, than a slothfulness and sluggishness 
of nature. Both sexes, when the springs of the 
mind are once set in motion, are remarkable for a 
warm imagination and a high flow of spirits. There 
seems indeed universally to reign among them a 
promptitude for pleasure. This effect has been 
ascribed, and perhaps justly, to the levity of the at¬ 
mosphere.* To the same cause is commonly im¬ 
puted the propensity observable in most of the 
* .hlosely on the Climate of the West Indies. 
