xV



INTRODUCTIONS



  Although we may fairly boast of the pre-eminence of
the human species, over all other animals in arts of inge-
nious contrivance, and in mental capacities, which elevate
our hopes beyond terrestrial enjoyments, yet we find the
earth inhabited by different races of men, who do not only
vary in complexion, manners and customs, but their rules
of conduct, sentiments and opinions, are apparently so
contrary and inconsistent, that the minds of the curious
are at once struck with a degree of surprise, which natu-
raly excites a desire of consulting those extensive sources
of information, which have been laid open to the anti-
quary, by the travels and researches of modern travellers.
The intellectual faculties of man, as well as his bodily
frame and complexion, exhibit so various an aspect among
different races of mankind, as would seem to authorise an
arrangement of the human species into'different classes,
marked by a specific diversity of powers, both mental
and corporeal.
  The revival of critical learning, however, has induced
the learned and the intelligent to examine with some in-



terest, the early state of mankind, as wvell as the strik-
ing diversity in the human species throughout the
regions of the earth. The whole human race, when
compared with the preent_ generation, were in a state
of infancy, for many centuries after the deluge, as
well as in the antediluvian world. To observe man-
kind leaving the first rude stages of society, and advan-
cing gradually in the provinces of civilization and refines
nient, till they came to cultivate the arts and sciences,
and to form wise regulations for the better government
of communities, is a contemplation in which every man
should indulge, in order to know what man really is, and
what he has been. The wonderful revolutions which
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every age anu every year have produced In the mental
regions of rhan, go to prove that the human race have
not yet attained their manhood.
  But how much soever mien may seem to be diversified
by manners and customs, opinions and sentiments, shape
and size of body, colour, complexion, the organization of