Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/89

 "But he is a magnificent speaker," protested Giles.

"I do not doubt it. But did you ever pause to analyze what he said and see how much of the effect lay simply in his choice and delivery of well-sounding words? How much in the thought underlying? With his presence, striking personality, deep fund of sheer animal magnetism he could not fail to be impressive."

"But surely you admit that the negro is capable of high mental attainments if properly instructed? They have shown this in Liberia, in our West Indian colonies, in the States. Has it not been demonstrated beyond doubt that under the proper course of mental culture the African is capable of a high grade of mental attainment?"

"I do not think it has, Giles; personally, I do not believe that the negro possesses much mentality; the mulatto, ah, yes! One cannot fix a limit to his. But how many individuals of the negro race who have no white blood have achieved things? And as for the mulatto, he is a mongrel, and a mongrel will sometimes inherit from either side of the house alone. He might be physically negro and mentally white. One can predict nothing from the half-caste. But as far as the pure negro is concerned there is no race in the world who, considering their advantages and numbers, have achieved as little as he … ah, here is Mr. Moultrie; no doubt he will give us his views."

Manning had come out of the house as Leyden concluded; at the last words of the naturalist his face clouded.

"Negro question again?" he asked coldly. "Don't let me interrupt. I am biased; besides, I hate the topic, 79