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subjected and servile race, like the negroes or Malays. J came across, in 
Brazil, white men, the descendants of the Portuguese, negroes, and a few 
tame Indians, all Christians, and living together under parallel conditions. 
Of these races, though the whites are most civilised, the negroes are physi- 
cally the most highly organised, and the most prolific. I met some 
mulattoes who were not only intelligent, but very scientific, and especially 
skilled in modern languages; notably one, a government engineer, who is 
termed the “‘ Lesseps of Brazil.” 
Mr. M. H. Hasersuon.—The paper would seem to show that we are now 
in possession of facts on the affirmative side of the question of more value 
as evidence than those which can be adduced upon the other side. Max, 
Muller has recently expressed the idea that fetishism is not the basis of 
religion. Man has had always an idea of the Unseen, and from simple - 
primitive beliefs his many superstitious practices have had their origin. 
There is abundant evidence that the natural tendency of man has been 
downward. Buddha, and Zoroaster, and Confucius taught a much purer 
and more elevated doctrine than that which is now held by their followers. 
That which we find in the corners of the earth, people degraded to the 
very lowest condition, corresponds with the downward process which we 
know to be a fact of history. Bearing in mind the corruptions in religion 
among Jews and Christians, it cannot be denied that we have obvious facts 
on the affirmative side of the question to guide our inquiry. 
Mr. J. Hassett.—The paper read expresses my own views. As 
to the records of the iron, stone, and bronze ages, it must not be for- 
gotten that some of the best authorities have admitted that the bronze 
implements found are bronze, that is, are made of an alloy of tin and 
copper. So it is clear that the tribes that produced these implements must 
have had sufficient knowledge to distinguish the ores of metals; some 
extent of knowledge is required for this purpose; it is equally clear 
that the people of that age must, therefore, have been acquainted with the 
method of reducing the ores to the metallic state. This is a proof that 
these people were not as degraded as some writers assert. I think our 
thanks are due to Mr. Allen for his orderly arrangement of the facts. 
It is a most important point that we, who hold the old faith, should be 
able to show that we have reason and common sense on our side. 
Mr. H. C. Dent, C.E., F.L.S.—In confirmation of the remarks that have 
been made, not only did the ancients know how to obtain the bronze, but they 
knew the exact proportions now used, the bronze of the past having, at 
most, a difference of 2 or 3 per cent. in constitution. 
Mr. R. J. Hammonv.—I would call attention to the fact that man may be 
unacquainted with the arts and sciences and all that is included in the term 
“modern civilisation,” and yet need not be a savage. I hold that such may 
have been the state of primeval man, a mental and moral child, thriving 
under the fostering care of God. If there is evidence of civilisation by 
evolution and of the degradation of man, have we not also some of civilisa- 
tion by the Divine teaching and control ? 
