480 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



A PORTUGUESE WOMAN. 



afterwards modified by fusion with the Celts into Celt- 

 iberian. The Greeks and Carthaginians doubtless formed 

 sporadic settlements in the west as well as in the east of 

 the peninsula. The Romans spread their institutions and 

 language here as well as in Spain, and the Teutonic 

 tribes mixed their blood with the Romanised Celtiberians 

 of Portugal as well as with the Romanised Celtiberians of 

 Spain. The Moors have influenced the Portuguese quite 

 as much as they have the Spaniards, and many of the 

 every-day phrases heard in Portugal are directly traceable 

 to an Arab source. One element in the mixed composition 

 of this people deserves especial notice. In the days of 

 her colonial activity Portugal had an extensive trade with 

 Africa and India, and slaves were largely imported into 

 the country. A pronounced Negro type has been frequently 

 noticed among the Portuguese in certain districts, and 

 this may be attributed to the readiness of the Portuguese, 

 no less than the Spaniards, to mix with the inferior races 

 with which they have come into contact. How far the 

 Jews may be said to have influenced the physical charac- 

 teristics of the race it is difficult to say, but travellers 

 have remarked on the prevalence of the Jewish type of 

 features in Portugal. In spite of mediaeval oppression 

 the Jews have flourished amazingly in the peninsula, and 

 at the present day the Spanish or Portuguese Hebrew is looked on as the aristocrat of his race. 

 Physically the Portuguese cannot be said to be as handsome as the Spaniards. Their 

 features are generally irregular and their frames ill-knit. The complexion is sallow and dull. 

 In the north the peasants are much darker than in the south, and their hair is often jet-black. 

 On the other hand, many impartial observers are inclined to think that the women are more 

 attractive than their Spanish sisters. Their eyes are especially fine, being full and lustrous, 

 while their dark hair and regular white teeth add much to their charm. 



In character, too, the Portuguese are in many respects the more pleasing of the two 

 peoples. The former possess a kindlier temperament, which shows itself particularly in the 

 treatment of animals. 



The Portuguese are of a bright and careless disposition, and are more talkative even than 

 the Greeks or Italians. In this respect they are true sons of the South. The guitar is a great 

 outlet for their exuberant feelings, and a good deal of spare time in country districts is whiled 

 away by the soothing strains of this instrument. Frugality is a leading characteristic of the 

 people, as indeed of all the southern races. Dried cod-fish forms one of the principal articles 

 of diet among the peasantry, and the olla-podrida may be said to be the national dish. This 

 consists, as a rule, of pork or ham, olive oil, and onions or garlic, stewed into a savoury, if not 

 altogether nutritious, mess. 



Agriculture forms the principal occupation of the people. They are, however, extremely 

 backward and unenterprising. The same methods of husbandry are handed down from one 

 generation to another; and being for the most part ignorant and uninformed, the peasants 

 have little notion of making the best use of their fertile soil. Education, however, is spreading 

 and the Government are believed to be alive to the necessity of stimulating the people by 

 general and technical instruction. The manufacturing industries, of which hardware is perhaps 

 the most important, are steadily improving, and the foreign trade is increasing. Of this, about 

 one-third is in the hands of the British. There is a considerable demand for British goods in 

 Portugal, so that we may claim to be more or less instrumental in the gradual awakening of 

 the Portuguese to a more active industrial life. 



