280 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



who, naturally the most amiable of mankind, are free from antipathies 

 of race, are fond of novelty, inclined rather to follow than to lead ; 

 and who in every respect, seem qualified to become a medium of 

 communication between the different branches of the human family. 

 Such an office, is even indicated in the geographical distribution ; 

 for the Malayan alone, makes a near approach to universal contact 

 •with the other races. 



While admitting the general truth, that mankind are essentially 

 alike, no one doubts the existence of character; distinguishing not 

 only individuals, but communities and nations. I am persuaded that 

 there is besides, a character of race. It would not be difficult to 

 select epithets; such as "amphibious, enduring, insititious ;" or to 

 point out as accomplished by one race of men, that which seemed 

 beyond the powers of another. Each race possessing its peculiar 

 points of excellence, and at the same time counterbalancing defects, 

 it may be, that union was required to attain the full measure of civi- 

 lization. 



In the organic world, each new field requires a new creation ; each 

 change in circumstances going beyond the constitution of a plant or 

 animal, is met by a new adaptation, until the universe is full ; while 

 among the immense variety of created beings, two kinds are hardly 

 found fulfilling the same precise purpose. Some analogy may pos- 

 sibly exist in the human family ; and it may even be questioned, 

 whether any one of the races existing singly, \vould, up to the pre- 

 sent day, have extended itself over the whole surface of the globe. 



