460 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



manners or the morals of the pupil a defect which cannot be justly ascribed to the training 

 of an English gentleman. The masters at our public schools have undoubtedly exercised a 

 strong influence for good on the boys committed to their care, and the same may be said 

 of many of our private schools. 



What are the mental characteristics of the German ? From the excessive militarism of 

 his country he acquires a somewhat brusque and off-hand manner, which is especially marked 



in members of the aristocracy. His educa- 

 tion, with its tendency to specialism at an 

 early age, makes him learned and narrow, 

 and lacking in the graces which a more 

 general culture and wider training might 

 bestow. The constant interference of the 

 State in his domestic and business concerns 

 is apt to weaken his independence and rob 

 him of individuality and character. Behind 

 his acquired conventionality, however, he is 

 honourably distinguished for loyalty to the 

 Fatherland and his friends, as well as for 

 kindly disposition and family affection. Not 

 the least attractive characteristic of the 

 German is his fondness for music, which 

 does much to soften his asperity of manners. 

 A strong vein of sentimentality has often been 

 noticed in the Teutonic disposition, although 

 it is kept well in hand by discipline and 

 training. A curious instance of this was 

 related by the correspondent of an English 

 newspaper during the Franco-Prussian War. 

 When the Germans entered Paris, a good deal 

 of looting and violence took place. An officer 

 broke into a house, and, entirely disregarding 

 the trembling occupiers, sat down at the 

 piano in one of the rooms and ran his 

 fingers over the keyboard. Presently he broke 

 out into a plaintive melody which celebrated 

 the charms of his lady-love. The performance 

 affected him to tears. He was able, however, 

 to master his emotion sufficiently to call in 

 his orderly and direct him to have the instru- 

 ment packed up and sent to Germany! He 

 then left the house without so much as a 

 word to his unfortunate hosts. The Germans 

 are, as a rule, frugal and unostentatious in 

 their habits. Mere wealth has less social power 

 among them than in England. It will not buy 

 the entree into high society. Class distinctions 

 are well marked, and even the poorest nobleman of a long line is recognised as a far superior 

 being to the wealthiest parvenu. In this respect Germans take themselves very seriously. To 

 omit the von, denoting gentle birth, before the name of an untitled gentleman would cause 

 him to feel much aggrieved. Even official titles are guarded by their possessors with the saiue 

 strong jealousy. AVives are addressed in such a way as to show that they share in the 

 official title e.g. "Mrs. General" or "Mrs. Station master." 



Pfioto by the Pliotoclirwne Co.] 



[London, 



A SWISS MAN. 



