admit of a doubt, that all the rich and valuable productions, both of the East and West Indies, might easily be naturalized, and brought to the utmost perfection, in the tropical parts of this immense continent. Nothing is wanting to this end, but example, to enlighten the minds of the natives ; and instruction, to enable them to direct their industry to proper objects. It was not possible for me to behold the wonderful fertility of the soil, the vast herds of cattle, proper both for labour and food, and a variety of other circumstances favourable to colonization and agriculture ; and reflect, withal, on the means which presented themselves of a vast inland navigation, without lamenting that a country, so abundantly gifted and favoured by nature, should remain in its present savage and neglected state. Much more did I lament, that a people of manners and dispositions so gentle and benevolent, should either be left as they now are, immersed in the gross and uncomfortable blindness of pagan superstition, or permitted- to become converts to a system of bigotry and fanaticism ; which, without enlightening the mind, often debases the heart. On this subject many observations might be made; but the reader will probably think that I have already digressed too largely ; and I now, therefore, return to my situation at Kamalia. CHAPTER j t x lV . Transactions nt Kamalia resumed.— Arabic M S S. in Use among »(be Mahomedan Negroes.— Reflections concerning the Convert i ,isi<m cCn.d. ¡Education of the ,Negro Children.— Return o f the - Author's Benefactor, K a r f a .— Further Account .of thePurchase H arid Treatment of [Slaves.— Fast ofRhamadan, bow observed by • the.■ Negroes .— Author’s Anxiety fo r the Day of Departure. i — The Caravan sets out—¡Account of it on its Depart ure, and Proceedings on the Road, until its arrival at Kinytakooro. g T he schoolmaster, to whose care I was intrusted during the absence of Karfa, was a man of a mild disposition, and gentle manners; 'his name was Fankooma; and although he himself adhered strictly to the religion of Mahomet, he was by no means intolerant in his principles towards others who differed from him. He spent much of his time in reading; and teaching appeared to be his pleasure, as well as employment. His school consisted of seventeen boys, most of whom were sons of Kafirs ; and two girls, one of whom was Karfa s own daughter. The girls received their instructions in the day time, but the. boys always had'their lessons by the light of a large fire before daybreak, and again late in the evening ;- for being considered, during their scholarship, as the domestic slaves of the master,
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