Western Asia — Civilization. 363 



tinuous ; these southern plains are not under the tropics ; the dif- 

 ference between the plain and the table-land is softened. 



The true Western Asia, the Asia of history, is reduced thus to a 

 plateau flanked by two plains. Add the Soristan, which connects it 

 with Egypt and this last-mentioned country, and you will have all 

 the great countries of civilization of the centre of this continent ; on 

 the north the nomades of the steppes of the Caspian, on the south 

 the nomades of Arabia and its desei'ts form the natural limits of the 

 civilized world of these countries. Compared with the east, the 

 areas are less vast, the reliefs less elevated, the nature less continental, 

 notwithstanding its more central position, the contrasts less strongly 

 pronounced, the whole more accessible. 



Here, as we have said, is the original country of the White race, 

 the most perfect in body and mind. If, taking tradition for our 

 guide, we follow, step by step, the march of the primitive nations, as 

 we ascend to their point of departure, it is at the very centre of this 

 plateau that they irresistibly lead us. Now, it is in this central 

 part also, in Upper Armenia and in Persia, if you remember, that 

 we find the purest type of the historical nations. Thence we behold 

 them descend into the arable plains, and spread towards all the quar- 

 ters of the horizon. The ancient people of Assyria and Babylonia 

 pass down the Euphrates and the Tigris into the plains of the south, 

 and there unfold, perhaps, the most ancient of all human civilization. 

 First, the Zend nation dwells along the Araxes, then, by the road 

 of the plateau, proceeds to found, in the plains of the Oxus, one of 

 the most remarkable and most mysterious of the primitive commu- 

 nities of Asia. A branch of the same people, or a kindred people, — 

 the intimate connection of their language confirms it, — descends into 

 India, and there puts forth that brilliant and flourishing civilization 

 of the Brahmins, of which we have already spoken. Arabia and the 

 noi'th of Africa receive their inhabitants by Soristan. South Europe, 

 perhaps, by the same routes, through Asia Minor ; the North, finally, 

 through the Caucasus, whence issue in succession, the Celts, the Ger- 

 mans, and many other tribes, who hold in reserve their native vigour 

 for the future destinies of this continent. There, then, is the cradle 

 of the White race — at least of the historical people — if it is not that 

 of all mankind. 



The civilizations of Western Asia also, as well as those of Eastern 

 Asia, spring up in the alluvial plains, which are easily tilled, and 

 alike connect themselves with the great rivers, and not, as in ]''urope, 

 M ith the seas. The plains of Babylonia and of Eactriana are conti- 

 nental, and not maritime, like India and China. The contrasts of 

 nature are still strongly expressed, but yet less so than in the east. 

 There are still vast spaces, and, consequently, vast states. The re- 

 ligions, the political and social conditiuu of the people, still betray 

 the influence of a nature which man has not yet succeeded in over- 

 mastering. 



The civilizations are still local, and each has its special principle ; 



