It Cannot, However, Admit Of A
Doubt, That All The Rich And Valuable Productions, Both Of The East And
West Indies, Might Easily Be Naturalized, And Brought To The Utmost
Perfection, In The Tropical Parts Of This Immense Continent.
Nothing is
wanting to this end but example, to enlighten the minds of the natives;
and instruction, to enable them to direct their industry to proper
objects.
It was not possible for me to behold the wonderful fertility of
the soil, the vast herds of cattle, proper both for labour and food, and
a variety of other circumstances favourable to colonization and
agriculture; and reflect, withal, on the means which presented themselves
of a vast inland navigation, without lamenting that a country, so
abundantly gifted and favoured by nature, should remain in its present
savage and neglected state. Much more did I lament, that a people of
manners and disposition so gentle and benevolent, should either be left,
as they now are, immersed in the gross and uncomfortable blindness of
pagan superstition, or permitted to become converts to a system of
bigotry and fanaticism, which, without enlightening the mind, often
debases the heart. On this subject many observations might be made; but
the reader will probably think that I have already digressed too largely;
and I now, therefore, return to my situation at Kamalia.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Transactions at Kamalia resumed. - Arabic MSS. in use among the Mahomedan
Negroes. - Reflections concerning the conversion and education of the
Negro children. - Return of the Author's benefactor, Karfa.
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