Races and Peoples. By D. G. Brinton, A.M., M.D. (N.
Hodges New York ; Began Paul, Trubner, and Co., London.)—This little volume is a reprint of lectures delivered at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, in 1890, with notes added showing where the reader may look for more extended information upon the subjects discussed. It forms, in fact, a sort of introduction to the study of ethnography, gives a general account of the principal races that inhabit the globe, and attempts to explain their origins and differences, and predict their destinies. Like most ethnographers, Dr. Brinton does not sufficiently distinguish between physical and mental race-differences. The former we shall never probably understand; the latter are in great measure—perhaps in greatest measure—the outcome of history, itself determined principally by conditions of physical environment. Even the Greeks did nothing until they found themselves favourably situated on the eastern- most of the three peninsulas that jut out into the Mediterranean, and had been stimulated to activity by contact with the Phceni- clans. With regard to the fate of races, it is vain to prophesy. Tropical lands, drained and cultivated, might become fitted for a white population ; and in that case, probably, the Aryan family would supplant the black and yellow peoples. But the Semite, one may feel certain, would stand the contest with the Aryan. Mixed races are weak, and do not survive; Negroes would not sustain a serious competition ; of the Chinese and Malayan peoples, the immense numbers form a staying-power that has to be reckoned with. Dr. Brinton's book is not always accurate. especially in relation to the Chinese and Japanese, but is full of suggestion, and may be read with considerable profit and interest.
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