CHAPTER IV. Deduction of an affinity between the Negro and the brute creation, a mere subterfuge-European physiognomy often similar to the Negro's-Handsome Africans described by many travellers-Some remarkably beautiful -Not difficult to lose the impression of their colour-Blumenbach's Negro crania-Imperceptible gradations of one race into anotherFurther analogies in animals-Effects of the civilizing process in improving the form of the head and features-Exemplifications-Illustrated in the case of Kaspar Hauser-Testimony of Dr. Philip on this subject --Dr. Knox on Negro crania-His important conclusion-Dr. Tiedeman's experiments-Conclusive observations of Blumenbach-And others-The civilization of many African nations superior to that of European Aborigines-No deviations in the races of Man sufficient to constitute distinct species-Departures from the general rule accounted for-Equal variations observable in our own country-Remarkably exemplified in Ireland. It is evident then that the deduction of an affinity with the brute creation, from the allegation of a resemblance between the Negro and the Monkey, is a mere subterfuge. The Negroes of Mozambique, whom Barrow describes as inferior to many other Africans, may be instanced as exhibiting those general characteristics which are mostly associated with our ideas of Negro physiognomy. There are many Europeans who have countenances exactly resembling these and other Negroes; and varieties and intermediate gradations, almost imperceptible, may be traced, connecting all the different races. We perceive, indeed, an astonishing difference, when we place an ugly Negro (for there are such, as well as ugly Europeans,) against a specimen of a Grecian ideal model; but when we examine the intermediate gradations, this striking diversity vanishes. "The physiological characters of the Negro," says Dr. Lawrence, “taken in a general sense, are as loosely defined as his geographical distribution; for among the Negroes, there are some, who, in smoothness of the hair, and general beauty of form, excel many Europeans. Clapperton describes the sultan of Boussa, as having features more like a European than a Negro. Lander was struck with the regularity of features, elegance of form, and impressive dignity of manners and appearance in the sable monarch Khiama. "Of the Negroes of both sexes," says Blumenbach, "whom I have attentively examined, in very considerable numbers, as well as in the portraits and profiles of others, and in the numerous Negro crania, which I possess, or have seen, there are not two completely resembling each other in their formation: they pass, by insensible gradations, into the forms of the other races, and approach to the other varieties, even in their most pleasing modifications. A Creole, whom I saw at Yverdun, born of parents from Congo, and brought from St. Domingo by the Chevalier Treytorrens, had a countenance, of which no part, not even the nose, and rather strongly marked lips, were very striking, much less, displeasing: the same features, with an European complexion, would certainly have been generally agreeable." The testimony of Le Maire, in his journey to Senegal and Gambia, is to the same effect; that there are Negresses, except in colour, as handsome as European women. Vaillant says of the Kafir women, that, setting aside the prejudice which operates against their colour, many might be accounted handsome, even in a European country. The accurate Adanson confirms this statement in his description of the Senegambians:-"Les femmes sont a peu prés de la taille des hommes, également bien faites. Leur form est d'une finesse et d'une douceur extrême. Elles ont les yeux noirs, bien fendus, la bouche et les levres petites, et les traits du visage, bien proportionnés. Il s'en trouve plusieurs d'une beauté parfaite. Elles ont beaucoup de vivacité, et sur tout un air aisé de liberté qui fait plaisir." The Jaloffs, according to Mungo Park, although of a deep black, have not the protuberant lip or the flat nose of the African countenance. Moore testifies concerning this tribe to the same effect:- "The Jaloffs," says he, "have handsome features." 66 Although their colour is a deep black," says Golberry, "and their hair woolly, they are robust and well made, and have regular features. Their countenances," he adds, "are ingenuous, and inspire confidence; they are honest, hospitable, generous, and faithful. The women are mild, very pretty, well made, and of agreeable manners."* Pigasetta states, that the Congo Negroes are very like the Portuguese, except in colour; and Dampier, in his account of Natal, describes the natives as having an agreeable countenance. -- Dr. Philip, speaking of a family of Bechuanas whom he visited, says: "We were very much struck with their fine figures, and the dignified, easy manner with which they received us. Their countenances and manners discovered marks of cultivation, accompanied with an air of superiority, which at once marked the class of people to which they belonged, and which, under other circumstances, would have been admired in an English drawing-room.”† Isert, a Danish traveller, says :-" Almost all the Negroes are of good stature, and those of Acra have remarkably fine features. The contour of the face, indeed, among the generality of these people, is different from that of Europeans; but, at the same time, faces are found among them, which, excepting the black colour, would in Europe be considered beautiful."‡ Abdallah, a native of Guber, in West Africa, although having the true Negro features and colour, is described as having a very intelligent, preposessing countenance.§ "On my late tour, in August, 1825," says Dr. Philip, "I first came in contact with the Bechuanas. I have * Golberry's Travels, vol. I. Philosoph. Mag. III. 144. + Philip's Researches. § Annals of Oriental Literature, 537. seldom seen a finer race of people; the men were generally well made, and had an elegant carriage; and many of the females were slender, and extremely graceful. I could see at once, from their step and air, that they had never been. in Slavery. They had an air of dignity and independence in their manners, which formed a striking contrast to the crouching and servile appearance of the Slave."* On visiting a family of this tribe, Dr. Philip observes, "I had in my train a young man who was a native of Lattakoo; and when they found out there was a person in our company who understood their language, they were quite in raptures. I think I never saw two finer figures than the father and the eldest son. They were both above six feet; and their limbs were admirably proportioned. The father had a most elegant carriage, and was tall and thin; the son, a lad about 18 years of age, was equally well proportioned, and had one of the finest open countenances that can possibly be imagined. The second son was inferior in stature, but he had a fine countenance also; and, while they indulged in all their native freedom, animated by the conversation of my Bechuana, or began to tell the story of their misfortunes, expressing the consternation with which they were seized when they saw their children and parents killed by an invisible weapon, and their cattle taken from them, they became eloquent in their address; their countenances, their eyes, their every gesture, spoke to the eyes and to the heart."+ "Teysho, chief counsellor of Mateebé, King of the Wankeets of South Africa, is a handsome man," says the same writer;" and the ladies who were with him were fine looking women, and had an air of superiority about them.”‡ We have the testimony of another recent traveller, and resident for some time in South Africa. Thomas Pringle, in speaking of the Bechuana, or great Kafir family, says: "Some of them were very handsome. One man of the * Philip's African Researches. + Idem. Idem. |