The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
Thirdly, If the fervour of the Sun, or intemperate heat of clime did
solely occasion this complexion, surely a migration or change thereof
might cause a sensible, if not a total mutation; which notwithstanding
experience will not admit. For _Negroes_ transplanted, although into
cold and phlegmatick habitations, continue their hue both in themselves,
and also their generations; except they mix with different complexions;
whereby notwithstanding there only succeeds a remission of their
tinctures; there remaining unto many descents a strong shadow of their
Originals; and if they preserve their copulations entire, they still
maintain their complexions. As is very remarkable in the dominions of
the Grand Signior, and most observable in the _Moors_ in _Brasilia_,
which transplanted about an hundred years past, continue the tinctures
of their fathers unto this day. And so likewise fair or white people
translated in hotter Countries receive not impressions amounting to this
complexion, as hath been observed in many _Europeans_ who have lived in
the land of _Negroes_: and as _Edvardus Lopes_ testifieth of the
_Spanish_ plantations, that they retained their native complexions unto
his days.
Fourthly, If the fervour of the Sun were the sole cause hereof in
_Ethiopia_ or any land of _Negroes_, it were also reasonable that
inhabitants of the same latitude, subjected unto the same vicinity of
the Sun, the same diurnal arch, and direction of its rayes, should also
partake of the same hue and complexion, which notwithstanding they do
not. For the Inhabitants of the same latitude in _Asia_ are of a
different complexion, as are the Inhabitants of _Cambogia_ and _Java_,
insomuch that some conceive the _Negro_ is properly a native of
_Africa_, and that those places in _Asia_ inhabited now by _Moors_, are
but the intrusions of _Negroes_ arriving first from _Africa_, as we
generally conceive of _Madagascar_, and the adjoyning Islands, who
retain the same complexion unto this day. But this defect is more
remarkable in _America_; which although subjected unto both the
Tropicks, yet are not the Inhabitants black between, or near, or under
either; neither to the Southward in _Brasilia_, _Chili_, or _Peru_; nor
yet to the Northward in _Hispaniola_, _Castilia_, _del Oro_, or
_Nicaragua_. And although in many parts thereof there be at present
swarms of _Negroes_ serving under the _Spaniard_, yet were they all
transported from _Africa_, since the discovery of _Columbus_; and are
not indigenous or proper natives of _America_.
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