352 PSYCHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION. [PART II. 



primitive state. This partly explains why we see so many 

 peoples apparently stationary, whilst others proceed rapidly 

 from a certain point. 



The solution of the question is rendered difficult at the outset 

 if we do not abandon the false theory, arising from the exclusive 

 view of our European civilization, that there is anything in the 

 nature of man generally, or of some tribes particularly, impel- 

 ling them to civilization; whilst, on the contrary, the un- 

 civilized state is, originally, natural to all. When Humboldt, 1 

 in declaring for the unity of mankind, and against any 

 difference between higher and lower races, adds, "There 

 are more plastic, but not more noble races ; all are equally des- 

 tined for liberty," the apparent contradiction can only be 

 explained in this way ; that the greater natural inclination and 

 capacity for civilization manifested by some peoples, is nothing 

 original, but something acquired in the course of their develop- 

 ment, which, under favourable circumstances, might have been 

 equally acquired by peoples who appear at present less capable 

 of civilization. 



The investigation of the question is not less impeded by re- 

 ferring, like Stanhope Smyth, De Salles, and others, the begin- 

 ning of all civilization not to the nature and activity of man, 

 but to the immediate influence of God. This view has been 

 supported by the circumstance, that the first elements of civi- 

 lization, as far as history reaches, always appear as communi- 

 cated from one people to another, and that of no people can it 

 be proved how, where, and when they have become civilized by 

 their own inherent power. However true this may be, it is 

 easily explained, since history neither reaches nor can ever 

 reach back to the primitive condition of man. All this mani- 

 festly does not justify us in assuming a direct communication 

 of the necessary arts and knowledge, or of language, by God 

 to man. Moreover as, strictly speaking, there is no commence- 

 ment of civilization in an absolute sense, but merely a gradual 

 passing from one state of culture to another, it remains as dif- 

 ficult to explain how a people already emerged from a primi- 



i " Cosmos," i, p. 385. 



