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42 CHAPTER VII.

NATIONAL EXPRESSION.

believe there are not two countenances exactly similar, and although there are broad and clearly defined distinctions in every race of every climate, yet the unprejudiced naturalist doubts not the root from whence every member springs.

These physical peculiarities, and the geographical distribution of the human race, would form a most interesting subject, and it is somewhat singular so little has been written on this topic. The extremes of heat and cold, the intervention of seas and mountains, have necessarily much affected the form, carriage, and expression of the human family; and yet each appears most happy in his place of birth. The Esquimaux companionizes with a breeze so cold that mercury freezes in its presence, and yet he would pine and sorrow to be removed; his snowy deserts are sweet home to him, over which his soul traverses and feasts on sublime revelations.

But see the native of torrid regions and golden sands; there he goes wandering in reveries o'er his burning paradise. Show him the pictures of civilization, and describe to him their gorgeous possessions and effeminate delights, he looks into the very face of the sun, and, exchanging radiations with that world of fire, he turns aside from your proffer. He hastens away from the very temptations to the turpitude of leaving the associates of