We have mentioned that, in order to pnt the question to a practical
test, M. Edwards made a journey through France, Italy, Belgium,
and Switzerland. In passing through Florence, he took occasion to
visit the Ducal gallery, to study the ancient Roman type. He selected,
in preference, the busts of the early Roman emperors, because they
were descendants of ancient families. .They, too, are so alike, and
withal so remarkable, that they cannot he mistaken. Augustus,
Tiberius, Germanicus, Claudius, Nero, Titus, &c., exemplify this
type in Florentine collections. The following is his description: —
“ The vertical' diameter of the head is short, and, consequently, the face broad. As the
summit of the cranium is flattened, and the inferior margin of the jaw-bone almost horizontal,
the contour of the head, viewed in front, approaches a square. The lateral parts,
above the ears, are protuberant; the forehead,low; the nose truly aquiline, that is to say,
the curve commences near the top and ends before it reaches the point, so that the base is
horizontal; the chin is round, and the stature.short.” [A sailor came to my office, a few
months ago, to have a dislocated arm set. When stripped and standing before me, he presented
this type so perfectly, and combined with such extraordinary development of bone
and muscle, that there occurred to my mind at once the beau-ideal of a Roman soldier.
Though the man had been an American sailor for twenty years, and spoke English with^
out foreign accent, I could not help asking where he was born. He replied in a deep strong
voice, “ In Rome, sir! ” — J. G. N.]
This is the characteristic type of a Roman; hut we cannot expect
now to meet with absolute uniformity in any race, however seemingly
pure. Such a type M. Edwards found to predominate in Rome and
certain parts of Italy at the present day. It is the original type of
the country, which has swallowed up all intruders, has remained
unchanged for 2000 years, and probably existed there from the
epoch of creation.
The Etruscans present an extraordinary historical enigma. Science
knows not whence they came, nor whence their institutions, arts, or
language —whether, indeed, they were indigenous to the Italian soil,
or strangers. "We can trace their civilization far beyond that of
Rome — more than 1000 years b . c . Citations
from Etruscan archaeologists, to this
effect, are given further on. Some of their
descendants now resemble Romans, hut
they present a mixed type. The well-known
head of D a n t e affords ah illustration, peculiar,
and strikingly typical; for it is long
and narrow, with a high and developed forehead,
nose long and curved, with sharp point
and elevated wings. [Here is the portrait
in question, to afford an idea of its style;
which, however, requires to he studied upon
Dante.45 designs of a larger scale.] M. Edwards was
struck by tie greet frequency of this type in Tuscany (ancient; Eton
ria), among the peasantty; in the statues and busts of the Medio,
family • and also amid the illustrious men of the Republic of Florence
in their effigies and bas-reliefs. This type is well marked since
the time of Dante, as doubtless long before. I t extends to Venice,
and is visible over a large extent of country. In the Ducal palace,
M. Edwards had occasion to observe that it is^common among the
Doges. The type became more predominant as he approached Milan;
hence he traced it through a great part of France, and through the
settlements of the ancient Cymhri or Belgm, who, Thierry has shown,
occupied Cis-Alpine: and Trans-Alpine Gaul. The physical characteristics
of the present population, therefore, correspond exactly with
the historical colonies; showing that the ancient type of this widespread
people, the Oymlri, has been preserved for more than 2000
years. ' , .
After visiting and analyzing thoroughly the population and history
of Jtaly M. Edwards next investigated Gaul, passing by the southern
I d western part, where Thierry places the Basques or ancient Ligurians.
In the other parts of France, as we have seen, there existed,
at a remote epoch, two great families, differing in language, habits
and social state; and these two formed the bulk of the ancient population.
Examination ascertains that two dominant fypes even yet prevail
throughout the kingdom, too saliently marked and distinct from each
other to be confounded. There have been many conquests and comminglings
of races.; but inasmuch a s :the greater number has swallowed
up the lesser, no very obvious impression has been produced
-by these causes. Of the two families, the Galls, or Celts, and the
Cymbri or Belgse, the former should be the most numerous, because
they are the most ancient, and had covered the whole country before
the entrance of the latter: in consequence, we find that the typewith
round heads apd straight noses, that of the Galls, has prevailed over
that of the Cymhri.
Oriental Gaul was occupied by the Galli proper of Caesar, whom
Thierry denominates “Galls.” Northern Gaul, including the Belgica
and Armorica of Caesar, on the other hand, was occupied by the
Cymbri. The population of Eastern Gaul — the Gauls proper
according to the historical facts, ought to be the least mixed, because
the Belgae never penetrated among them by force of arms, but took
quiet possession of their outskirts, along the northern parts of the
country.
“ In traversing the part of France -which corresponds to Oriental Gaul, from north to
south, v iz .: Burgundy, Lyons, Dauphiny, and Savoy, I have distinguished (says M. E -
wards,')' that type, so well marked,; to which we have given the name of Galls.