It is quite possible, as has been remarked by the intelligent writer already quoted Kinmont), that the African race is yet destined to show to the world a new and loftier species of civilization than has yet been seen, — not the cold and hard civilization of cultivated intellect merely, but the heavenly civilization of goodness, peace, and mutual love. "There can be no question," he says, "that when the epoch of their civilization arrives, in the lapse of ages, they will display in their native land some very peculiar and interesting traits of character, of which we, a distinct branch of the human family, can at present form no conception. It will be — indeed, it must be — a civilization of a peculiar stamp; perhaps we might venture to conjecture, not so much distinguished by art, as a certain beautiful nature, — not so marked or adorned by science, as exalted and refined by a certain new and lovely theology; — a reflection of the light of heaven, more perfect and endearing than
has he,’ &c. — Trifling as this recital may appear to the reader, to a person in my situation the circumstance was affecting in the highest degree." — Park’s Travels in the Interior Africa, chap. 15.
How beautiful, too, was the conduct of the king of Boussa to the Lenders, while on their way down the Niger, to discover its outlet! "The king of Bonssa." says the narrative, "sent messengers down the Niger, to a town called Bahba, in order to pave the way for the secure passage of the travelers. When a favorable answer was returned, the African monarch capered round his hut with transport; and after a burst of joy,'he began to cry like a child — his heart was so full. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘whatever may happen to the white men, my neighbors cannot but acknowledge that I have taken every care of them, treated them as became a king, and done my best to promote their happiness and interests.’ And so he has," continue the Lenders — What a picture of goodness is this! The civilized monarchs of Europe may well take a lesson from it.
