THE WHITE RACE. 51 



colours in the more temperate regions. As this 

 appears to us to be the most comely of all the 

 varieties, so it also surpasses the others in courage 

 and activity, and in the arts and sciences. 



It seems that climate has a great influence on 

 the human complexion : yet the mode of life, and 

 the general tendency in children to resemble their 

 parents, contribute not a little to effects which are 

 often attributed to the former cause alone. The 

 Circassians, for instance, the handsomest people in 

 the world, live under the same climate as the Tar- 

 tars, who fall exceedingly short of the standard of 

 European beauty ; and the Abyssinians are olive- 

 coloured, while they are almost surrounded by 

 nations of the blackest hue. 



Questions. 



What are the personal characteristics of the white race ? 



What nations does it comprehend 1 



What differences are observable between the northern and 

 southern nations of this race ? 



In what moral qualities does it surpass the other races ? 



What people are accounted the handsomest in the world? 



In what respect do the people of Abyssinia differ from the 

 surrounding African nations 1 



