M. B odichon, a surgeon distinguislied for fifteen years in the French
army of Algeria, examines the ra’ces of Europe from another point
of view; throwing considerable light on this abstruse subject, confirmatory
of the very early, no less than permanent, diversity of
types in the populations of Gaul and other European countries.
After establishing the insufficiency of Philology in tracing the
origin of races, Bodichon makes the following forcible remarks in
vindication of Physiology, as a more certain instrument of analysis:
“ To throw light upon the question of origins, it is necessary to appeal to a science more
precise, and founded on the nature of the object which we examine. This science is the
Physiology of races, or, in other words, a knowledge of their moral and physical characters.
Through Physiology has been established the existence of antediluvian beings, their genera,
their species and their varieties; by it also we shall discover the origin of races of then,
even the most mysterious. Through it we shall'one day be able to classify populations as
surely as we now class animals and plants: history, philology, annals, inscriptions, the
monuments of arts and of religion, will be auxiliaries in these researches. Herein we consider
its indications as motives of certitude, and its decisions as a c r i t e r i o n . ” ^
The first inhabitants of southern and western Europe, according
to his system, belonged to two very distinct races; hut that region,
from time to time, received many accretions from other tribes, mainly
Oriental, such as Phoenicians, Pelasgians, Cretans, ’Rhodians, Hellenes,
Carthaginians, Phocians, Saracens, Huns, &c.
His generic characters of the two primitive.races may be gathered
from the comparative columns we subjoin; and, although, at this late
day, it is impossible to separate completely elements so interblended,
we think there is much truth in his observations, and refer at the
same time to a book that teems with solid material for reflection.
‘‘B LO N D R A C E . ‘‘B ROW N R A C E .
“ Head g e n e r a l l y large, of elongated, and “ Head generally small, of round, but
often square, form; eyes blue, or bordering rarely square, form; eyes black or brown,
on blue; hair and beard blond, often red, or bordering on these colors; hair and beard
but without Albinism. black, sometimes red; but then there is Albinism,
which, is a pathological state.
“ S t a t u r e tall, and skin fair. In love, na- “ Short stature, and brown skin. In love,
tural chastity, with inclination to sentiment sensuality more developed than sentiment,
rather than sensuality.
“ Aptitude to unite in great assemblies, to “ Aversion to all unitary systems, for
make leagues, to choose a system of poli- great assemblies or leagues. Peculiar distical
unity, to live under the monarchical position to live in a social state by proform,
y. , vinces.
“ Fond of navigation, long voyages, ad- “ Tenacious of their locality; opposed to
venturous expeditions. distant expeditions.
“ C om m e n c e d by the pastoral or nomadic “ Have commenced by the agricultural
state, have been developed in plains, on the state, and fixed habitations. Have been defoorders
of great rivers, on the coasts of large veloped in mountains, islands, and ■ counbodies
of water, and in countries which pos- tries, lacking natural channels of communisess
natural modes of communication. cation. Have at all times been addicted to,
the exploration of mines.
“ In war, prefer cavalry to infantry, the
attack to defence, open movements to ambuscades,
pitched battles to small combats.
“ Rush impetuously into danger.
“ Unreserved, gay, fond of noise, orations,
strong drinks, and good eating. Frank and
naive.
“ Minds naturally open to doubt, to ex-
mination, to discussion. Tolerant, and hold
to the religious idea rather than to forms. *
“ Seek strangers, novelties, and ameliorations.
Inconstant,. violent, and imp’etuous,
but easily forgive injuries.
“ Are eminently sympathetic, initiatory,
marching incessantly towards new ends.
“ From its origin, has been under the influence
of cold climates.
“ Its faculties develop in the' North.
“ It produces, in preference, savans, reformers,
creators of systems— philosophers:
men whose genius is manifested by profound
meditations, by elevated reason, by sang
froid, by coldness and investigation. Thus,
Bacon, Luther, Descartes, Liebnitz, Newton,
Cuvier, Washington, and Franklin.
“ Predominance of the aristocratic element,
and political influence accorded to
women.
“ Its varities are, the Celtic, which is divided
into the Gaelic, Belgic, and Cymbric;
then the Germanic, divided into Germans,
Franks, Vandals, Goths, Angles, Saxons,
Scandinavians, and other blue-eyed nations,
which have played so important a part in
the formation . of the modern nations of
Europe.
“ Of Asiatic origin, it penetrated Europe
from the East and North; thus, the Volga
and the Baltic.
“ Considered in relation to the countries
where we first gee them, they are Strangers.”
“ In war, prefer infantry to cavalry, defence
to attack, ambuscades to open movements,
and guerillas to pitched battles.
“ Await danger with firmness.
“ Uncommunicative, sober. Perfidious and
reserved.
“ Credulous, intolerant, fanatical; attached
to religious forms rather than the idea;
and reject, discussion, doubt, and inquiry.
“ Hold strongly to ancient usages; feel a
repugnance with regard to strangers.
“ Unsympathetic; possess, to an extreme
point, the genius of resistance; tend peculiarly
to immobility and isolation.
“ From its origin, has been under the influence
of hot climates.
“ Its faculties develop in the South.
“ It produces, in preference, orators, warriors,
artists, poets: men whose genius manifests
itself by the exaltation of sentiments.
and ideas, by enthusiasm, a rapid conception.
Thus, Hannibal, Cicero, Csesar, Michelangelo,
Tasso, Napoleon.
“ Predominance of the democratic element,
and little political influence granted
to women.
“ Its varieties are, the Atlantes, divided
into Libyans and Berbers; next, the Iberi±:;
ans, divided into the Sicanians, Ligurians,
Cantabrians, Asturians, Aquitanians, and
other people of brown skins, who have
played an important part in the formation
of the ancient nations of Europe.
“ Aborigines of Atlantis [?]«§ penetrated
Europe from the South and West; thus,
Spain and the Ocean.
“ Considered in relation to the countries,
where we first see them, they are Autoc-
thones.”
M. Bodichon, with most writers, thinks that the blond race entered
Europe originally from Asia, and many strong reasons support this
position, in respect to those races found in Gaul and in countries
north of it, during the recent times of the Greeks and Bomans. Older
races, notwithstanding — fated like our American aborigines — may
have been exterminated by them, or have become amalgamated
with them. He supposes these blond immigrants from Asia to have
been of the same race as the HyJcsos, who conquered and took posses