Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/206

192 ingenius experimentaliſt has diſcovered to be the principal regulator of animal heat, may have diſabled them from extricating, in the act of inſpiration, ſo much of that fluid from the outer air, or obliged them in expiration to part with more of it. They ſeem to require leſs ſleep. A black after hard labor through the day, will be induced by the ſlighteſt amuſements to ſit up till midnight, or later though knowing he muſt be out with the firſt dawn of the morning. They are at leaſt as brave and more adventureſome. But this may perhaps proceed from a want of forethought, which prevents their ſeeing a danger till it be preſent. When preſent, they do not go through it with more coolneſs or ſteadineſs than the whites. They are more ardent after their female: but love ſeems with them to be more an eager deſire, than a tender delicate mixture of ſentiment and ſenſation. Their griefs are tranſient. Thoſe numberleſs afflictions, which render it doubtful whether heaven has given life to us in mercy or in wrath, are leſs felt, and ſooner forgotten with them. In general, their exiſtence appears to participate more of ſenſation than reflexion. To this muſt be aſcribed their diſpoſition to ſleep when abſtracted from their diverſions, and unemployed in labor. An animal whoſe body is at reſt, and who does not reflect, muſt be diſpoſed to ſleep of courſe. Comparing them by their faculties of memory, reaſon and imagination, it appears to me that in memory they are equal to the whites; in reaſon much inferior, as I think one could ſcarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the inveſtigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they