zones. They are deficient in the power of abstract thought, of systematisation, of pursuing strict laws of reason, and of uniting themselves on a basis of this kind. The tropical races typify the highest state of the life of feeling. Natural life imprisons them; released from this by religion, they would typify animal and vegetable life in their transfiguration. (N.B. This idea I believe was presented to Mr. C. from my magazine.) They are receptive of culture, and may, during their subjection to a more developed race, develope a very respectable capacity for thought and artistic ability. They may arrive at a respectable degree of semi-civilisation, interesting by the peculiar forms which it would assume from the peculiarity of the people themselves.
Mr. C. regards slavery in America as a school for the children of Africa, in which they may be educated for self-government on the soil of Africa. He was inclined to look at the institution of slavery as a benefit to them. And that it might be converted into a benefit is certain. But that it is the only means of imparting to Africa the blessings of Christianity and civilisation may be safely denied, and I had here the pleasure of letting the wise negro from Florida preach to the wise white man.
In urbanity and grace of conversation Mr. C. reminds me of Waldo Emerson; but in a general way the southern gentleman has too small a development of the organ of ideality, even as in the gentleman of the north it is too large. Mr. C. corroborated the facility with which the negroes acquire a knowledge of handicraft trades, and their dexterity as artisans. They have in Georgia begun to employ them advantageously in manufactures. I now remember having visited, last year, a cotton factory, near Augusta, in which coloured work-people were employed. It was not a sight which caused me pleasure, because I could not believe that the blacks would voluntarily choose this occupation, with its noise, difficulty, and dusty, unwholesome
