Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/293

tions is ſufficient to ſhew with what Prejudice theſe Animals have been ſeen, and how ſlightly they have been examined. For Example, they are repreſented as Monſters, and at the ſame Time allowed to engender. In one Place Battel ſays, "the Pongos kill the Negroes they meet with in the Woods;" in another Purchaſs adds, "they do them no Harm, even when they ſurprize them, provided the Negroes take Care not to look too attentively at them. The Pongos gather about the Fires lighted by the Negroes, when theſe have left it, and withdraw themſelves in their Turn, as ſoon as the Fire goes out." Such is the Fact, now for the Comment upon it; "for with all their Addreſs they have not Senſe enough to keep the Fire in by ſupplying it with Wood." I ſhould be glad to know by what Means Battel, or his Compiler Purchaſs, found out, that the Retreat of the Pongos was the Effect of Stupidity in them rather than Inclination. In a Climate like Loango, Animals cannot ſtand much in need of Fire, and if the Negroes make Fires, it is not ſo much to warm themſelves as to ſcare and kept at a Diſtance the wild Beaſts with which the Country ſwarms; it is therefore but