ART. IV. THE HUMAN FAMILY.

Researches into the Physical History of Mankind. By JAMES COWLES PRICHARD, M. D., F. R. S., M. R., J. A. Third edition, 5 vols. London, 1847.

The Natural History of Man. By JAMES COWLES PRICHARD. Third Edition, 1 vol. London, 1848.

History, condition and prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States, or Ethnological researches respecting the Red Men of America. By HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT, LL. D. Published by authority of Congress. 4 vols. quarto, 1854. Types of Mankind. By J. C. NOTT, M. D., Mobile, and GEO. R. GLIDDON, formerly U. S. Consul at Cairo. Fifth Edition. Philadelphia, 1854.

OCCASION was taken in a late article of this Review, to glance at the question concerning the unity of the Human race, so boldly mooted before the American public during the past year, by the issue, in several editions, of the last of the above named works. On that occasion, while credit was extended to the authors for the amount of research and ingenuity expended on their book, it was deemed proper to notice with a word of censure, "the flippant tone which it adopts in alluding to the Bible, as offensive to the devout believer, objectionable in every point of view, and not only uncalled for, but calculated to prevent that impartial consideration of the subject, which tends to elicit truth." And after a slight balancing of opposite arguments, the decision was stated, "That the diversity theory is absolutely proved, no one can maintain, so long as names venerable in the roll of science hold out against it."

In the present article we propose to extend this investigation. To examine the subject in several aspects, and to indicate the general considerations, and the special scientific processes, by which such great master models of vast and accurate research as the Humboldts, Prichards, Chevalier Bunsen and Professors Lepsius and Owen have been brought to the conclusion fully agreeing

with the established sentiment of Christendom, that men under all varieties, are but of one stock, that the human race is, in fact, one family from a common ancestry.

The alternative to this doctrine, urged by Dr. Nott, and Mr. Gliddon, in their "Types of Mankind," is sufficiently distinct. They contend that "men were created in nations, and not in a single pair."* That they have no common original nature, no essentially agreeing rational constitution, and no generally designed merciful arrangement for their diffusive improvement in the present, and their joint participation of a higher future existence. That some are absolutely, and unconditionally "inferior," and not only "born to be ruled," but "destined to live and prosper," merely "till a superior destroying race shall come to exterminate and supplant them, and that no philanthropy, no legislation, no missionary labors can change this law."

That these sentiments are seriously in conflict with the admirable moral tone of the Scriptures, the equitable spirit of modern civilization, and the benign energy of Christian heroism, admits of little doubt. And it must be acknowledged that if scientific processes, fairly conducted do in fact, in this instance and in this manner, utterly break up the moral fabric which the wisdom of ages has sanctioned, and put a final extinguisher upon the best motives and highest hopes of humanity, it is not only "a new thing under the sun," but a most strange and portentous anomaly in the progress of human experience.

For this controlling reason, then, at the outset, we are constrained to distrust the conclusions, now referred to, as unsound, and the methods by which they are reached as not really scientific. And here we are reminded of what, with his accustomed felicity, a distinguished author characterizes as a species of superstition attached to the notion science, as if it were an indescribable magical something, different in itself from accurate and classified knowledge, systematically deduced from unquestionable principles, and established facts. A moderate acquaintance with the habitual tendencies of the superficial, though so-called scientific speculation

of the day, will satisfy any one of the justness of this remark of Hugh Miller; a man of high endowments and character, and an accomplished investigator and writer; of whom Prof. Agassiz justly testifies, that "his scientific illustrations are most happily combined with considerations of a higher order, rendering both equally acceptable to the thinking reader."

Science, it should be remembered, is a very humble as well as calm and patient laborer. Whether with Newton gathering pebbles on the shore of the great ocean of truth, or with Bacon seeking admission to the kingdom of nature, as it is said a higher kingdom must be sought by becoming like a child in simplicity of purpose. And when therefore we find large claims proudly put forth in the name of science, tending to revolutionize the practical moral convictions of mankind, and to annihilate the benignant sympathies and actuating motives of humanity, the very incongruity of the procedure brings it at once into suspicion as erroneous and unreliable.

And in addition to this general consideration requiring the most serious questioning of the proposed theory, we have a further special but kindred reason, as Southerners, for meeting it with distrust and subjecting it to unconfiding scrutiny.

The sacred code which guides the conscience of Christendom, and which is beyond question the best directory to duty, in all human relations, is at once our unanswerable reply to all fanatical impugners of our rights as slave-holders, and our acknowledged standard of the obligations connected with those rights. So long as we abide by the sanctions of this code, we have with us, not only the decisive voice of constitutional law, but, whatever misguided enthusiasts and interested agitators may pretend, the undisturbing acquiescence, if not the full approval of the enlightened Christian mind throughout the world. It is a striking and instructive fact, that the rabid abolitionists have found it necessary in waging war against the South, to direct their batteries against the Sacred Scriptures, either in the way of wild transcendentalism with Parker, of coarse infidelity with Phillips, or of pious sentimentalism conjoined with applauded falsehood, treason and murder with Mrs. Stowe.

And while we are satisfied by the intrinsic and extrinsic evidences attending the sacred code, evidences profoundly reverenced by such giants of thought, as Bacon, and Newton, and Webster, and thoroughly admitted by the common sense of the leading portion of mankind, that the sanctions of that code rest on an immovable basis of truth, we cannot deem it right or wise or becoming, and we cannot consent, that the defences of our position be transferred from this foundation of rock, to the shifting quicksands of less than doubtful theories. It is not in our view just, and we will not even tacitly allow cur enemies the moral advantage of representing, that we hold our slaves only as a higher race of Ourangs, not really contemplated in the authoritative precepts on which the morality of Christendom is founded.

The question then, as presented, is one which does not admit of indifference, on account of its obvious bearing upon our special position as Southerners, as well as upon the moral and higher relations of men every where.

At the same time, however, it is very far from necessary to mingle in its treatment passion and prejudice. And indeed, under varying circumstances it has often been examined by naturalists with entire dispassionateness, as a general matter of scientific interest. And, although, in the progress and results of these inquiries, "we observe," as remarked by Dr. Morton, "that diversity of opinion which is so frequent in human researches,"* yet has the investigation been, for the most part, conducted as a fair search after truth. Virez supposing that he had ascertained two species, Desmoulins, eleven, Bory, thirteen, and others a still greater number of original kinds among men; while Linnæus, Blumenbach, Cuvier and other distinguished students of nature were settled in the conviction of a strict unity in the human family.

Among investigators in this department of research, the celebrated author of the two works placed first on the list at the head of this article, Dr. James Cowles Prichard, stands unrivaled as a model of freedom and fairness of mind, asso

Crania Americana, Introductory Essay, p. 2.

ciated with virtuous reverence for all that is good and approved; cautious examination, conjoined with discriminating sagacity, and the most amazing accumulation of intelligence covering the whole field of inquiry. Setting out with full confidence in the great principle, that "truth can never be found ultimately in opposition to truth,"* he devoted the energies of a sound mind, sustained erudition, and long life, to exploring the wide range of fact in all branches of knowledge affecting his ultimate inquiry, physical, physiological, psychological, historical, and philological; and after the most copious induction of this kind, under the requirements of an inexorable logic, he was brought to a result thus announced in the closing words of his last work, "we are entitled to draw confidently the conclusion, that all human races are of one species and one family."

"Prichard," says Bunsen, "will not be forgotten in the annals of history." His works contain the best and clearest discussion of all the elements of natural philosophy, which bear upon the great question of the unity of the human race. His ethnological inquiry is conducted on the basis of a clear geographical and ethnological exposition, in which the critical reforms introduced by Ritter, Klaproth, and others, are adopted with independent judgment. In the linguistic portion he availed himself, generally, of the most thorough critical researches, and made use of the best materials which continental and English glossaries and observations offered to him. He had sound knowledge of Greek, Latin, German, &c., and good taste in selecting and naming his authorities. But his great merit is his excellent good sense and sound judgment... As it stands, his work is the best of its kind... Up to the present moment, (April, 1854,) there is no book which treats the question with equal depth and candor. And further on in his own discussion, the same learned and able

Researches, n. p. 7.

† Bunsen's Christianity and mankind, itself a work of prodigious research, in eight solid octavo volumes; earnestly advocating among other things, the unity of the human race. Vol. iii, p. 48.