APPENDIX. 271 



extreme dissimilarity in the attainments of the varieties of men who inhabit them. 

 If we glance over the history of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, we shall find 

 distinct and permanent features of character which strongly indicate natural 

 differences in their mental constitutions. The inhabitants of Europe, belonging to 

 the Caucasian variety of mankind, have manifested, in all ages, a strong tendency 

 towards moral and intellectual improvement. As far back as history reaches, we 

 find society instituted, arts practised, and literature taking root, not only in 

 intervals of tranquillity, but amidst the alarms of war. Before the foundation of 

 Rome, the Etruscans had established civilisation and the arts in Italy. Under the 

 Greek and Roman empires, philosophy, literature, and the fine arts were sedulously 

 and successfully cultivated ; and that portion of the people whose wealth enabled 

 them to pay for education, attained a high degree of intelligence and refinement. 

 By the irruption of the northern hordes, these countries were subsequently 

 involved in a chaos of ignorance ; — but again the sun of science rose, the clouds of 

 Gothic darkness were dispelled, and Europe took the lead of the world in science, 

 morals, and philosophy. In the inhabitants of this portion of the globe, there 

 appears an elasticity of mind incapable of being permanently repressed. Borne 

 down for a time by external violence, their mental energies seem to have gathered 

 strength under the restraint, and at length to have burst their fetters, and overcome 

 every obstacle opposed to their expansion. 



While these remarks are strictly correct in regard to the Teutonic race in 

 Europe, varieties also of mental aptitude have been displayed by other tribes 

 inhabiting that region of the globe. In France, Ireland and Scotland, the Celtic 

 race remains far behind the Teutonic in the arts, sciences, philosophy and civili- 

 sation. 



When we turn our attention to Asia, we perceive manners and institutions 

 which belong to a period too remote to be ascertained, and yet far inferior to the 

 European standard. The people of Asia early arrived at a point comparatively 

 low in the scale of improvement, beyond which they have never passed. 



The history of Africa, so far as Africa can be said to have a history, presents 

 similar phenomena. The annals of the races who have inhabited that continent, 

 with few exceptions, exhibit one unbroken scene of moral and intellectual desola- 

 tion; and in a quarter of the globe embracing the greatest varieties of soil and 

 climate, no nation is at this day to be found whose institutions indicate even 

 moderate civilisation. Some of the African tribes, however, have advanced beyond 

 the savage condition. They have cities, rude manufactures, agriculture, commerce, 

 government and laws ; and in these respects they greatly excel several of the 



