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African Memoranda. 395 and debased himself, they will soon confine that vice to a few of the lowest and most thoughtless of the people; who, by the bye, if they have the propensity, will not have the means of grati fying it. As to Religion ; there is much more danger of doing evil, than probability of doing good, by an excessive zeal for its in troduction. In this, as in other points, example is much ; if we are constant in our attendance at divine -worship, and conduct ourselves there with decorum and reverence, this will have more effect on the minds of the Africans, towards converting them to Christianity, than any thing that could be said by any fana tical zealot; and if we leave its operation to the slow workings of time, we shall certainly attain our object; which the folly of an enthusiast might only place farther from us. So of Slavery. Interfere not with the natives buying or selling slaves ; but let no European employ one. His grumetas, who till the ground for hire, must be reasonably paid, well fed, comfortably lodged, and have a little piece of ground to raise vegetables, and to keep poultry. These grumetas, unless they have a very unreasonable master, will be generally contented and happy ; and if they have a good master they will never quit him ; and generally speaking would risk their lives on his ac count. It would be seen in a very short time that these grumetas would annually produce more profit to their master, than if they bad been all sold for slaves ; nay, than if they could be all sold every year, whereas they can be sold but once. One great motive of the Africans in making slaves, indeed I may Principal mo- say the only one,* is to procure European goods ; slaves are the natives for making and * This is to be understood of those who are made so by force and treachery; selling slaves, some crimes, as for instance, witchcraft, and adultery are, I believe, in every part of 3e2
