HOLMES ANNIVERSARY VOLUME 



endowment of disposition and character, and falls into ways more 

 consonant with its new surroundings. Many historical instances 

 could be cited to show that, given time enough, transplanted races 

 will lose the characteristics which distinguished them in their original 

 home, and take on those which properly belong to the places in which 

 they settle. Where there is a mingling instead of a segregation, the 

 most that the alien race can do to affect the native race with which it 

 assimilates is to bring in some religious idea or economic principle 

 which may fit in with the customs and beliefs belonging to the 

 country, and thus bring about a modification of the older ideas. 



A few examples may be cited to show the influence of environment 

 on national character, as well as on manner of living. 



In ages past pastoral people roved at will over the vast plains of 

 western and central Asia, recognizing no authority but that of their 

 patriarchs who by virtue of their age and consequent experience were 

 supposed to be wiser than the others. Even this slight authority was 

 exercised mainly in the way of advice or instruction. Neither did 

 these people recognize any limitations of territory; they went where 

 they pleased, according to their needs. In this way was developed 

 the wandering instinct and the independence of action which led these 

 old Aryans to spread over much of the eastern hemisphere. When at 

 last compelled by increasing numbers to break up in bands which 

 made their way into far countries, we find them adapting their 

 industries and their habits, their beliefs and their ideas, to the con- 

 ditions in which they found themselves. 



It is not necessary to follow this theme; the governments and 

 religions of Hindustan, of the plateaus and plains of western Asia, 

 and Egypt, grew in accordance with the conditions amid which they 

 were conceived. The beauties of sea and land created and fostered 

 and brought to perfection the artistic faculties of the Greeks and the 

 Italians. 



The early Scandinavians were the great sea-faring people because 

 the innumerable bays and fiords of their coast offered secure harbors; 

 and the old Vikings surpassed all other men for hardihood and bold- 

 ness of adventure. Their spirit was strengthened by unending conflict 

 with waves and storms, to which they were driven by their insufficient 

 soil. Then, the Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians were practically one 

 people, mingling with one another as if in one territory; now they 

 are no longer the same. Moreover, portions of Scotland, Ireland, and 

 southern England were settled largely by the old Norse freebooters, 

 as was Normandy in France. Yet those living in these areas are de- 

 veloping into distinct types, and in time only the historian will know 



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