INTROD UCTOR K 



pean nations, and explored and conquered large 

 areas in America and elsewhere, we find that to 

 this activity followed a period of lethargy and want 

 of initiative. But even here it would be wrong to 

 assume a condition of national senility, for old age 

 in the individual is, in the millions of cases under 

 observation, an inevitable necessity, while the decline 

 of Spain was due to causes which might have been 

 avoided, and the ill effects of which might have 

 been readily removed. 



The Spaniards, unlike the English and the French, 

 mix freely with lower races, and in the Spanish 

 colonies the race diluted its blood, and thus influ- 

 enced the home country. Not only was this so, but 

 there can be little doubt that much of that which 

 possessed intelligence and independence was taken 

 out of the race during the days of the Inquisition. 

 When we remember that, from 1481-1808, no less 

 than 340,000 persons were punished, of whom 32,000 

 were burnt alive, and that thousands who represented 

 the nation's capacity and moral backbone left the 

 country, we need hardly wonder at the inevitable 

 result. If this be a true reading of history, we have 

 here a case of organic race deterioration, but it must 

 be noted that it was brought about by conditions 

 which were under control, and, unlike causes of true 

 senility, were not universally operative. 1 



1 The Spaniards have lost possession of Cuba and the Philip- 

 pines since this was first written. 



