Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-10


watery grave. Their bones when not covered by
the winds, are formed into pavements for caravans
around the watering places, and along the way or
lstrewcd unseen on the bed OF the ocean.
The name of Moors, which is used in Europe, but
not in Africa il applied chiefly TO the inhabitants of
the Statos of Barbary. These arc not single race
but derive their origin froni various sources. Ihcy
orc n mixture oI the ancient Maurtonians, md NJ
indians; the Vandals from the North, the Saracens
and Turks from the East, and the BrcbcrS, the oldest
Inhabitants, who driven back, like the ancient
Brons aud now occupy the interior aud mount lii-
Gus parts of the country. These races however. arc
so assimilated by the mouldiugs of despoic power,
and religious Intolerance, that they now be hard
" distinguished.
distinct race and indeed, the arhes possible from
an amalgamation with the other inhabitants. They
are an oncast class. hated dcspised aud dcrded and
subject tn insult and persecution. with imPun'ty'
But the immense profits OF trade, induce them to
submit with patience 10 these indigniics
The inhabahlc, or rather the almost urinhabi,a-
bic portions ut the vast space between the States OF
Borhary, aud the productive regions VI Central Ari-
"a, occupied by tue Arabs. This name IS doubt
less applied, only TIC descendants Of those lu
originally froIu Arabia but 10 all who lead the
Same rude and migratory life. They dwell IN movea-
bic villages consisting OF tents arranged III iccs,
like the huts Of the Eotentots, and III the iu:ermS-
date space, supplying their cattle villa place o.
security. When the means OF supper, eNhauS-
ted. they dcpar; for aspo: where their wants can be
supplied. They are governed by Shciks and I,Inlrs
pay homage and tribute 70 the Moorish sovercigns
when they must; but seize up,n every opportunity
70 act for themselves, and 20 indulge to the full, their
predatory propenstics They consist OF several ra-
ces, Of different names the ETri:i, the ShellUS.
the ShouaaS, the TibbCs, the TaurcS but they doubt,
less have common origin, and they dilcreni dis
lects OF the same language. They are all bgo:cd
AlSssulmans They agc much addicted To pi!.sring,
and in the of fire arms excel al the other inhsb
ltants of Africa.
The inhabitants of Egypt arc chiefly foreigners.
The Cops az the only people that derive thc.r OH
gin from the Egyptians OF remote antiquity, and
they, the descendants Of confused mixture with
the Persian, Grecian, Roman, aud Arabian races.
They dwell chiefly III upper Egypt; their numbers
ure small and they very far inferior TO their
cestorS. AbvsSinia appears TO lave been peopled
from Arabia, having many characteristics correspon
ding to those of the Jews and Arabans. I,s remote
parts, however inhabited by the primitive Affi-
can race, some OF whom, still Of the lowest order
of savages.
III tho middle countries Of africa. ae might M ex-
pected, there is mixture OK the Southern Aborigi-
mes, with the various races from the North. They
arc rolled chiefly b. Moorish ManomeJau chiefs; bu,
IN some cases the negro appear occasionally 70
resume the ascendancy. or this, TUmbuctoo is
said To present instance.
Further South Africa is flied with population cl-
most entirely native. Among the tribes of that par,
OF the continent few profess the Maaonle;an ci!th
rendered worse If possible, by mixture of their
own srpeIst;ons. The auStere habits of a Musscl-
man IS howcver mostly avoided. The native ra-
generally much devoted 10 pleasure and
their character is marked by careessness and lcvy
From sunset al Africa dances" Polygany is prac
fused IN the extreme, the number of women appropri
ated to an individual, being sometimes three ur four
thouHsnd But IL Is not attended with the same ica
lows secluslon which exists III Mehometan cnun-
,rt's Tho ldlepess Of the Turkish harems is un-
g. ~ Oh t'.c WOMEN are derolved in general
the most labor!ous emplUyvpenis tho S0ufhorn
eXtrcmtysof the continent th,. eomnlavio, -: ~
population Is brown, or unprecedented; bpt tbcv
are no less, ON that account in 7 s,.,e Of y, 'J
barity. '''"'c oar
The religion fthe Northern half of Aftics ne has
been alfeadyd veioped, Is almost entirely Tahomatan
L lie genera! character OF this religion is too well
known to require description In Africa it assumes
us worst aspect and fully exhibits the extreme of IT,
cFneties One that Is not Mussulman, usually
mas hnscl! an outlaw WITHOUT remedy; and death
or bondage is continually before him. Paradise h.
ING The reward offered for deeds o. cruelty there are
muItItudeS, who eager in this yav To nrccnri
kind of corrupt Christianity prevails in Abvssin,,
O. relics OF Catholic faith AMI practice exist in Con
90, q few other places visited by the Porlugucsc
NC - 'u'heFn naiives generally distinguished
IoF theH supcTsltlons above all other peopc in thc
world Respecting the creation OF man they hold
to inherent opinions. Some believe that he was form.
"a ny an enormous spider. others that he enerrp6
rom caves and holes IN the earth. Some believe in
tne trann grafton OF souls others in future rewards
and punIshmenfs, graduated according N their own
absurd notions of religious duty, received either in
nell or oblivion, or heaven OF sensuality Death is
regarded With horror The existence Of ghosts is
generally credited, and the spirits of those whose
crimes are unexpated, Supposed after death, TO
wander on earth.
species of superstition called fetisbism is almost
universal any thing that strikes the Imagination Of
VIC negro, as possessed of some occult supernatural
influence becomes his worship Thus the anchor of
wrecked snip was cast on shore. An African
Oroke piece from i. and happened TO die the same
evening 1t was supposed that he was the victim of
IT'S vengeance Tor committing violence upon il; and
the tnchoI was OF course afterwards worshipped az
d gOd' Inc ignorant and superstitioiis African n
cores ana consults 10 his difficulties tree rock
stck OF wood FISH bone, bit of paper, or blade
~ Jst as h.s iapcy happens to ascrbc, to either
VI thcse OF Other objects, svv.eG $3.50. - -:
des'incs. Serpents, and lizards, and lcopards and
crocKndes, are objects of solemn public Worship; and
tho various rcs connected with this stupid devotion
arc usually mxture of folly, lewdaess, and cruelty.
Africans usually carry their ietishes about them and
expect assistance aid protection from them on All
occasions The vrtne of fetish is alrnvs de,er,oin
cd by the success Of its possessor. n one fetish
proves insufficient 10 effect the object proposed an
other u selected aud another, until the right one Is
pr"culed Thus ~ consequence Of a combined series
ui e%permen the dcusion u never del ectcd Whom