THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN AND DESCENT OF THE GAEL. INTRODUCTION. WHOEVER is desirous of acquiring knowledge of the state and condition of mankind, as they now exist, under various appearances and circumstances, on the face of the earth, may be amply gratified by consulting those extensive sources of information, which the intercourse of modern civilized nations with the inhabitants of this globe, in all its regions, has laid open to the eye of curiosity. The observations and researches of modern travellers, of different talents and descriptions, have increased our intelligence of the nature and properties of our species. They have exhibited to view manners and customs so much diversified, modes of living, habits and rules of conduct, sentiments and opinions, apparently so adverse and inconsistent, as may A THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGIN AND DESCENT OF THE GAEL. INTRODUCTION. WHOEVER is desirous of acquiring knowledge of the state and condition of mankind, as they now exist, under various appearances and circumstances, on the face of the earth, may be amply gratified by consulting those extensive sources of information, which the intercourse of modern civilized nations with the inhabitants of this globe, in all its regions, has laid open to the eye of curiosity. The observations and researches of modern travellers, of different talents and descriptions, have increased our intelligence of the nature and properties of our species. They have exhibited to view manners and customs so much diversified, modes of living, habits and rules of conduct, sentiments and opinions, apparently so adverse and inconsistent, as may A be considered to amount to indications of marked specific differences in the human race, expos ed to the influence of various climes and temperatures. When we contemplate the diversified natural properties of brute animals, and observe, that they are endowed with instincts, powers, and qualities, suited only to certain climates and tracts of the earth's surface, varying from the polar to the meridional regions of the globe, it seems to be not unreasonable to conclude, that the creation of brute animals was a power exerted by the Author of nature, not on any definite spot or peculiarly favoured territory, but that the divine energy operated its just effect in the production of animals of the brute creation, in the different climates and regions to which their natural instincts and qualities were best adapted. When we survey the globe, we find man, the inhabitant of all its regions, not limited to any particular soil; he subsists in social connexion in all the earth's explored climates and temperatures. This animal is universally endowed with intellectual powers, which are not possessed by any species of animals of the brute creation. Yet the intellectual faculties of man, connected with bodily frame and complexion, exhibit so various an aspect among different races of mankind, as would seem to authorize an arrangement of the human species into different classes, marked by specific diversities of powers, both |