274 COMxVIERCE WITH tercourse between European nations, the inhabit- ants of the Indian Islands, and the nations iu their neighbourhood, I shall furnish a general picture of the character of the commercial ex- changes which must take place between them in an unrestricted intercourse. The Indian Islands present to us an immense country, more easy of access to the merchant und navigator than any other portion of the globe, owing to the tranquil- lity of the seas which surround them, that, like so many canals, or great navigable rivers, throw the com- munication open, and render it easy from one extre- mity to another. This great advantage peculiarly distinguishes them from the continuous territory of the Continent of Africa, from a great part of that of Asia, and from some of that of America. At the same time, as many of the islands are of vast extent, the whole region is exempt from that cha- racter of sterility to which islands of small size within the tropics are naturally liable from the ab- sence of considerable rivers, indispensable to ferti- lity in those climates, All the great islands con- tain navigable rivers, and many of them extensive inlets and bays, or fine harbours. In a commer- cial point of view, the immediate neighbourhood of the Indian Islands to the greatest nations of Asia is one of their most prominent characteristics. With respect to fertility of soil, they are eminent. Their mineral and animal productions are various, rich, 12
