790 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



race, nor change by absorbing it. Intermixture of the white and col- 

 ored is destined, probably, to play a greater role than it now does ; 

 and this new race for new it is may greatly enlarge its proportion 

 of numbers on American soil, but it is not to be expected that it will 

 transcend in moral and intellectual elevation. It is probable that this 

 mixed race which is forming in our country has greater capabilities 

 than it generally gets credit for. In some respects its moral and social 

 qualities may be quite as desirable in a race of mankind as the cor- 

 responding qualities in white men ; but in intellect, in fertility of re- 

 source, in that which furthers progress and renders society and civili- 

 zation exalted and refined, it is not likely that any compound with a 

 fraction of Caucasian blood in it, will be equal to the Caucasian him- 

 self. In intellect, which, with Draper, we must regard as the lead- 

 ing and highest faculty of mind, it is not likely that any mixture of 

 African blood, with all the advantages of development it may have, 

 will ever equal the historical Teuton. And there is less to be hoped 

 from the colored race in this country, because its progenitors on the 

 African side are a low type even of Africans, as one of the race candid- 

 ly admits (Rev. Edward W. Blyden, "a negro," "Eraser's Magazine"). 

 Education may do a great deal, especially the education of practical 

 life in connection with the more gifted Teuton ; but with this spread 

 of the colored element, if it should still continue, while it may itself 

 experience a considerable degree of elevation, there must come a low- 

 ering, through this agency, of the average psychological level, and 

 this can not take place without affecting the general tone of society. 

 And it will so affect society, not only because of the relative gain of 

 numbers, if that should be, but, paradoxical as it may seem, by virtue, 

 also, of a certain degree of improvement which is above the lowest, 

 but does not reach the highest, whereby the colored element will ob- 

 tain a power in society, which, with fewer numbers and greater moral 

 subordination, it did not before have. Then, indeed, will there be 

 need of a " strong government," or, perhaps, it should rather be said, 

 then will it be easy to establish a strong government. 



-^- 



ABOUT COMETS. 



Bt AAEON NICHOLS SKINNER, 



rNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



THE study of astronomy reaches back to the very beginnings of 

 history, and through all the ages the ablest intellects have been 

 directed to the wellnigh impossible task of unraveling the celestial 

 motions. The terrestrial observer not being located at the center of 

 the motions of the solar system, the complexity arising from this com- 



