naturally capable of the higher branches of human knowledge. For,
without any example before us, of a nation of blacks who have risen
to the higher degrees of civilization, such a presumption would be
utterly groundless: it can therefore, at present, rest only on the
wishes of the philanthropist. But, that they may be rendered better
and more reasonable men, by the introduction of a purer system of
morality than that which they are now following, is an assertion
which may be made, without the least hesitation.
The Bachapins are men of well-proportioned figure, and generally
of the height of six feet; but many are met with of shorter
stature, and a considerable number are taller. Though they have
the appearance of being robust, yet they possess much less muscular
power than Europeans. As they always travel on foot, and thus
increase the strength of those muscles which are used in walking,
they are able to perform very long journeys with comparatively
little fatigue; and from the same cause, they have acquired by constant
practice, the power of throwing the hassagay with some force ;
but in all other modes of exertion they evince a weakness which
the form of their limbs would not seem to indicate. To a traveller
who has been first accustomed to see the small and delicate hands
and feet of the Hottentots and Bushmen, those of the Bachapins
appear , to be large.. Though the hand is nearly of European proportion,
the feet are, from walking oftener without sandals than with
them, larger and generally very coarse.
The Bachapin whose portrait is given in the tenth plate *, was
* The tenth plate is the portrait and figure of Chaasi, a Bachapin of the richer class.
The whole of these portraits, as here engraved, were completed from the life, without presuming
to embellish them by additional decoration, or improvement of any kind. This
drawing was made at a place which I have distinguished on the map as my Garden, where
Chaasi accidentally visited me. It was my custom, as before mentioned, to pay in tobacco,
those who allowed me to draw their likeness; and as this man’s sibbdta (snuff-bag) was not
large enough to hold the quantity given to him, he tied the remainder up in a knot at the
corner of his kobo. It was necessary to mention this circumstance,: in order that the knot
might not be viewed as the usual form of the cloak. For the same reason, it must be explained
that the kobo is not always worn in front, as it is here represented: but in walking,
it is a very common practice to place it so that it may protect them either from the
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