Page:George Archdall Reid 1896 The present evolution of man.djvu/190



opinion is more universally entertained than that the races of mankind differ mentally, each one from all others, by reason of inborn traits; and though opinions differ as to the mental peculiarities of this or that race, though each race has usually a very flattering opinion of its own mental proclivities and capabilities, and a very unflattering opinion of the mental proclivities and capabilities of other races, yet seldom is it doubted that such proclivities and capabilities are inborn. For instance, to take the English point of view, few Englishmen doubt that their own race has "by nature" a genius for empire and colonization, is brave, resolute, law-abiding, cool-headed, liberty-loving, industrious, enterprising, &c.; that "by nature" Frenchmen are fickle, frivolous, and ardent; that, for the same reason, Germans and Dutchmen are phlegmatic and thoughtful; Russians dull and barbarous; Spaniards proud, indolent, and superstitious; Italians musical, excitable, and violent; Bengalese cowardly, servile, and subtle; Afghans fanatical, fierce, and treacherous; Chinese, in some things abnormally clever, in others abnormally stupid; West Africans, almost beyond belief, foolish and cruel; Fingoes braggart and. timid; Zulus brave and honest; that this race has great artistic tendencies and that race none at all; that this race has considerable capacity for civilization, that race less, and that