There are, according to Humboldt, nearly six millions of Indians in South America. We think there is reason to believe that they have, on the whole, decreased in that country since its discovery by Europeans. In the south they have mingled with the European settlers, which in North America has never been found practicable. The religious orders have also founded missions, which, though doubtless encroaching on the liberties of the natives, have generally been favorable to the increase of population. As the preachers advance into the interior, the planters invade their territory; the whites and the castes of mixed breed, settle among the Indians; the missions become Spanish villages, and finally the old inhabitants lose their original manners and language. In this way, civilization advances from the coasts towards the centre of the continent.[8]
Such was the aspect of affairs while these provinces were under the Spanish government; since they became independent, the Indians, in most of the states, are allowed the full benefit of the free institutions established. As education becomes more diffused, and religion, divested of its superstitions, becomes more pure and peaceful; we may confidently hope, that the red man will partake of the blessings of civilization and Christianity, and, in South America at least, enjoy those moral and intellectual advantages which shall elevate him to an equality with his white brethren.
[5] See Head’s Journey over the Pampas and the Andes.
[6] See a history of this people, by Martin Dobrizhoffer,—eighteen years a missionary in the country.
[7] Martin Dobrizhoffer.
[8] Humboldt.
Absence of Mind.—Sir Isaac Newton, one evening in winter, feeling it extremely cold, drew his chair very close to the grate, in which a fire had been recently kindled. By degrees, the fire being completely kindled, Sir Isaac felt the heat intolerably intense, and rung his bell with unusual violence. John was not at hand; he at last made his appearance, by the time Sir Isaac was almost literally roasted. “Remove the grate, you lazy rascal!” exclaimed Sir Isaac, in a tone of irritation very uncommon with that amiable and placid philosopher, “remove the grate, before I am burned to death.” “Please your honor, might you not rather draw back your chair?” said John, a little waggishly. “Upon my word,” said Sir Isaac, smiling, “I never thought of that.”
The Wisdom of God.
The wisdom of the Creator is shown by the relation which the structure of animals bears to their mode of life.