120 SHEMITIC CIVILIZATION. 



Let us try to trace in this complex whole 

 the part played by each of the two great 

 races, which, by their combined action, and 

 more often by their antagonism, have con- 

 ducted the course of the world to the point 

 on which we stand. 



Let me explain. When I speak of the 

 blending of the two races, it is simply in 

 respect to the blending of ideas, and, if I 

 may venture to express myself, to fellow 

 labour historically considered, that I would 

 use the term. The Indo-European and the 

 Shemitic nations are in our day still per- 

 fectly distinct. I say nothing of the Jews, 

 whose singular and wonderful historical des- 

 tiny, has given them an exceptional position 

 among mankind, and who, except in France, 

 which has set the wwld an example in 

 upholding the principle of a purely ideal 

 ci vilization, disregarding all difference of 

 races, form everywhere a distinct and sepa- 

 rate society. The Arab, and, in a more 

 general sense, the Mussulman, are sepa- 

 rated from us in the present day more than 



