438 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



America, but it would receive the bulk of the Russian and Eoumanian 

 emigrants, and thus relieve the pressure here. 



Two facts concerning the physique of the Hebrew race in general 

 have been frequently noted. These are their longevity and their free- 

 dom from consumption. These facts seem rather inconsistent with 

 the known poor physique of the Jewish immigrant. The first can be 

 explained by their abstinence from hazardous occupations, their rela- 

 tive immunity from tenement house conditions, and the care which the 

 Jews bestow on their sick. The freedom from consumption claimed for 

 Jews in other parts of the world can not be said to obtain in New York. 

 Consumption is very prevalent among them and is probably due to a 

 combination of climatic influences and their manner of life in the 

 Ghetto. Tenement house conditions alone could not explain the rela- 

 tive frequency of consumption, because they have been exposed to just 

 such conditions for centuries. 



The physical inferiority of the Jews is partially offset by their men- 

 tal capability. Their intellects are sharpened by centuries of mental 

 training. They possess in a remarkable degree the power of concen- 

 tration of mind upon the object to be attained and a dogged pertinacity 

 that spells victory for the student. They will deny themselves any- 

 thing to obtain an education, and, when they have the opportunity, 

 occupy a prominent place among students in every branch of study. 



The Magyars. 



The tiresome routine of inspection at Ellis Island produces varied 

 effects upon immigrants, according to their temperament or race. 

 Slavs drift through with blank faces and animal-like docility. The 

 diminutive representatives of the Latin races appear frightened, but 

 their faces are alert, eager, watchful. The Irishman treats the whole 

 matter as a huge joke, and passes the inspectors with his cap on one 

 side of his head and wearing a broad smile. The Magyar differs from 

 all others, no halting hesitation in his gait, no evidence of terror or 

 uncertainty, but he walks with military precision and confidence and 

 something of a challenge in his bold defiant eyes. In short, he evi- 

 dences the carriage of the trained soldier and the unconquerable spirit 

 of a proud, warlike people. 



About the close of the tenth century we find the Magyars established 

 in what is now Hungary, under the leadership of Arpad. They un- 

 doubtedly came from east of the Carpathians at this time and came 

 originally from the Finno Ugric cradle in western Siberia. They were 

 probably akin to the ' Huns ' who devastated Europe under Attila in 

 the fifth century. Like the Huns they were absolute barbarians and 

 carried war and pillage during the first century of their advent through 

 the countries to the west and south. They were finally defeated by 



