7. Men in this horrid Practice would, with the distinguishing Characteristick of Reason about them, be more brutish than any part of the Creation; no Creatures of the greatest Ferocity preying upon their own Species.
8. If such Custom were taken up to intimidate their Neighbours, and facilitate Conquests, the Practice should be more publick; not in the Night, but Day, and openly: Custom in any People familiarizing all Barbarities, and more so, when an Interest is proposed.
Therfore, lastly, the strongest Proof produced for it is, that one Mr. More saw human Flesh sold at Dahome’s Market-place.
If the Person mentioned does not mean human Flesh alive, and in way of Trade, yet without a good interior Sight, he might mistake it for that of Monkeys, there being an awkard Resemblance to the Moorish Race, in the Hands and Phiz; and I have given one Example purposely, among many (at the beginning of this Chapter) to shew they are a common Diet at some places; our Sailors frequently eat them. What inclines me more to this Opinion is, First, the Force of Pre-possession and Fear, which many Readers may experience in their own Constitution. Second, That I never saw a Flesh-Market of any sort, tho’ I have been on shore at many places on the Coast of Guinea, not even among the English, the most carnivorous in the World; but when they do kill, lend it out. Thirdly, What is my greatest Objection, is, that the Captain should bring another to assert what he might have done himself, since he was at Dahome’s Camp, (the same place,) and more inquisitive and discerning; unless this Market was kept one Voyage, and not another.
I have bestowed these Objections, purely in respect to the King of Dahomay, whom, tho’ I never saw, nor expect to be advanced in his Court, I have a natural Propensity to wish well, since he has redeemed his Country-Men from being sold as Slaves. I would feign, after such an Action, excuse them from being Men-eaters; a Charge full as bad for the People, a jumping out of the Frying-pan into the Fire. Their Guilt herein is less likely, because it happens that this conquered Country abounds more with Neat Cattle, than all other parts of the Coast.
Currents on the Coast of GUINEA.
The incomparable Sir Isaac Newton solves all the Phænomena of the Tides upon the sole Principle of Gravity. The Earth, Sun, Moon, and all the celestial Bodies, says he, have a Gravitation towards their Centers, in proportion to the quantitys of Matter in each of them. Our Earth being within the Activity of the Sun and Moon’s Attractions; the fluid part of this Globe, the Ocean, feels it, and necessarily swells: and this, by taking off or abating the force of Gravity, wherever the Moon is perpendicular in the Ecliptick; whereby the greater Pressure of Gravity without, carries the Water thitherward, &c. (See the Theory of the Tides, Philos. Transact.) Currents seem to be the same thing (at least on this Coast) and on the same Principle I shall lay down the Facts, and then draw the Conclusions.
The Rivers of Gambia, Sierraleon, Gabon, the Straits and Channels of Benin, and thro’ the whole Coast, the flowings are regular on the Shores, with this difference, that in Rivers or Channels where two Shores contract the Waters into a narrow Compass, the Tides are strong and high, as well as regular; but on the dead Coast, slow and low, not to above two or three foot, increasing as you advance towards the Bay and Channels of Benin; and this is farther evident at Cape Corso, Succonda, Commenda, and other places: for wherever the Land rounds and cheques, the Flowings there will be a Foot or two more than on an evener Coast, tho’ next adjoining.