250 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



the vast regions in Asia over which the Turk 

 holds sway. Its population is not far short 

 of 700,000, of whom between 80,000 and 

 100,000 are Jews. In Jerusalem and its 

 neighbourhood alone the Jews number from 

 45,000 to 50,000. At least 80 per cent, of 

 the total population are Mohammedans. The 

 language most general]}' spoken is Arabic. 



The Hebrews may be regarded as the 

 best representatives of the Semitic stock. 

 Their physical characteristics are perhaps more 

 clearly defined than those of any other people. 

 They have regular and expressive features; 

 oval face and brain-cap; large and often 

 aquiline nose, depressed at the root; forehead 

 straight, but not high; black, almond-shaped 

 eyes; small, pointed chin; glossy black hair, 

 with full beard; pale white skin; and stature 

 somewhat below that of the average European. 

 The prevailing type of face is massive. 



Its strong characteristics make the Hebrew 

 face easily recognisable in whatever part of 

 the world it is seen. The Jewish laws and 

 usages, which forbid intermixture with other 

 races, account for their racial purity. The 

 barriers have, however, from time to time 

 been broken down, and in many places the 

 marks of their intermarriage with other races 

 can be seen. Fair-haired, blue-eyed, and 

 white-skinned Jews are to be found in England. 

 Eed-haired and red-bearded Jews are known 

 in Germany, and tawny-faced Jews in Spain. 

 In Cochin and on the Malabar coast in India 

 Buchanan states that Jews are to be seen so 

 black as to be indistinguishable from natives 

 except in form and features. 



The Hebrew character is almost as clearly defined as the face. It varies but little the 

 world over. Jews eagerly follow every occupation of a remunerative kind. They are often not 

 fastidious with regard to the honour and dignity of the course they pursue. They have 

 excellent business capacity, but are frequently grasping and avaricious. They are keenly alive 

 to the "main chance." Clannish within their own race, they are decidedly hospitable among 

 themselves, dignified, and often benevolent. They take charge of their own sick and poor 

 wherever they may be, and are merciful to each other in their dealings. Their wives rarely 

 excite scandal by laxity of virtue or levity of conduct. 



The intellectual and moral strength of the Jews brought them triumphantly through the 

 universal oppression they underwent in the Middle Ages. To-day they are scattered about 

 the world, and are without atiy political status of their own. Yet they always make theii 

 influence deeply felt on the life of the nations with which they come in contact. Jews excel 

 in literature, art, and music, but finance is perhaps their special domain. In Germany, Austria, 

 and recently, alas! in France, a political crusade is being waged against them. Anti-Semitic 

 prejudice is always strong wherever the Jews become influential. 



The Jews have been wanderers from the earliest times, and have always been subject to 



Photo in lionftls\ 



A. BRIDE OP BETHLEHEM. 



[Jiei/reM. 



