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

 is ufficient to hew with what Prejudice thee Animals have been een, and how lightly they have been examined. For Example, they are repreented as Monters, and at the ame Time allowed to engender. In one Place Battel ays, "the Pongos kill the Negroes they meet with in the Woods;" in another Purchas adds, "they do them no Harm, even when they urprize them, provided the Negroes take Care not to look too attentively at them. The Pongos gather about the Fires lighted by the Negroes, when thee have left it, and withdraw themelves in their Turn, as oon as the Fire goes out." Such is the Fact, now for the Comment upon it; "for with all their Addres they have not Sene enough to keep the Fire in by upplying it with Wood." I hould be glad to know by what Means Battel, or his Compiler Purchas, 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 tand much in need of Fire, and if the Negroes make Fires, it is not o much to warm themelves as to care and keptkeep [sic] at a Ditance the wild Beats with which the Country warms; it is therefore but