4()4 CAUSES OF THE VARIETIES 



in Europe, and even in the same kingdoms of Europe; 

 Mongols, Afghans, and Hindoos in India; &c. &c. The 

 distinctions of these different races, except where tliey have 

 been confused by intermarriages, is just as easy now as it 

 has been in any time, of which we have authentic records. 



The permanency of the characters of any race when it 

 has changed its original situation for a very different one, 

 when it has passed into other climes, adopted new manners, 

 and been exposed to the action of these causes for several 

 generations, affords the most indisputable proof that these 

 characteristics are not the offspring of such adventitious cir- 

 cumstances. From the numerous examples, in every race 

 which a slight knowledge of history will furnish, I shall 

 select a few of the most striking. 



In the earliest times, to which our historical records 

 ascend, the west of Europe was occupied by Celtic peo- 

 ple with a brownish-white skin, dark hair and eyes ; the 

 characters, in short, which are now visible in the Spaniards, 

 most of the French, the native Welsh, the Manks, and the 

 Highland Scotch. The German race, originally situated 

 more to the north and east, have long ago obtained settle- 

 ments by war and conquest in many of the countries pre- 

 viously peopled by the Celts; but their light-rosy skin, 

 flaxen hair, and blue eyes, are now, after nearly two thou- 

 sand years, just as strongly contrasted with the very different 

 traits of the Celtic character, in those situations and those 

 families where the blood has remained pure, as they were 

 originally. 



It was observed by C/esar, that the Germans had posses- 

 ed themselves of the Belgic provinces of Gaul, and the con- 

 tiguous southern parts of Britain*. That the Caledonians 

 or PIcts (Lowland Scotch), were a German people is rightly 

 represented by Tacitus, whose description of the natives 

 occupying this island exhibits the same physical characters 

 which exist in the present day. " Habitus corporum varii : 

 atque ex eo argumenta; namque rutilse Caledoniam habitan- 

 tium comae, magni artus Germanicam originem adseverant. 



* Dc IhlL Gall- lib. 2 & 5. 



