SECT. III.] NATURAL CHARACTER. 381 



proved, that the various degrees of culture in various peoples 

 depend in a much greater degree on the mode of life, the his- 

 torical events, and other elements, than on their original 

 mental endowment, which, however, does not exclude the 

 latter, and which possibly, also, may have its influence. The 

 latter supposition is possible, but cannot be demonstrated. 

 The whole course of our investigation has rendered it more 

 probable that barbarism and civilization prevail among all 

 peoples of the earth, and that powerful impulses are required 

 to change their conditions ; but that as regards the further 

 development of already partially civilized peoples, there is this 

 circumstance in their favour, that in consequence of the civi- 

 lization already acquired, the progeny inherit better predis- 

 positions than those possessed by their progenitors. And yet 

 we find that even in the higher stages of civilization, it is by 

 single individuals only that the progress in science, art, re- 

 ligion, and social economy is really effected. Even among the 

 rudest nations, such genial natures are not wanting : there is 

 no specific difference of mankind in this respect ; but they 

 rarely produce more than a transitory effect. 



The question has been frequently asked, in what consists the 

 national character of a people ? The preceding investigation 

 has shown that it depends on so many conditions that an exact 

 analysis is extremely difficult. That it is not the race alone 

 which determines it, is proved by there being different nation- 

 alities within the same race. It is therefore probable, as 

 observed by Hugh Murray, 1 that the mental peculiarities of 

 peoples are generally more flexible and changeable than the 

 physical characters of the race, and are transmitted with a 

 less degree of constancy. Though it may be admitted, that 

 peculiarities of race exercise an indirect influence upon the 

 national character by the tradition of manners and laws, it 

 cannot be generally asserted that the political or religious in- 

 stitutions determine it, for among primitive peoples we find 

 the latter very similar, and yet the national characters differ 

 widely. These are developed, and become permanent by the 



1 Loc. cit., p. 149. 



