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progeny; and this observation extends to the mixing of the white
race with the black in the third and the fourth generation。 This
observation seems to confirm more than any other thing the fact;
that those nations which have emanated from a crossing of race
frequently repeated and comprising the whole nation; have surpassed
all other nations in power and energy of the mind and character; in
intelligence; bodily strength; and personal beauty。(2*)
We think we may conclude from this that men need not
necessarily be such dull; clumsy; and unintellectual beings as we
perceive them to be when occupied in crippled agriculture in small
villages; where a few families have for thousands of years
intermarried only with one another; where for centuries it has
occurred to no one to make use of an implement of a new form; or to
adopt a new method of culture; to alter the style of a single
article of clothing; or to adopt a new idea; where the greatest art
consisted; not in exerting one's bodily and mental powers in order
to obtain as much enjoyment as possible; but to dispense with as
much of it as possible。
This condition of things is entirely changed (and for the best
purposes of the improvement of race of a whole nation) by
establishing a manufacturing power。 While a large portion of the
increase of the agricultural population goes over into the
manufacturing community; while the agricultural population of
various districts becomes mixed by marriages between one another
and with the manufacturing population; the mental; moral; and
physical stagnation of the population is broken up。 The intercourse
which manufactures and the commerce between various nations and
districts which is based upon them bring about; brings new blood
into the whole nation as well as into separate communities and
families。
The development of the manufacturing power has no less
important an influence on the improvement of the breeds of cattle。
Everywhere; where woollen manufactures have been established; the
race of sheep has quickly been improved。 Owing to a greater demand
for good meat; which a numerous manufacturing population creates;
the agriculturist will endeavour to introduce better breeds of
cattle。 The greater demand for 'horses of luxury' is followed by
the improvement of the breeds of horses。 We shall then no longer
see those wretched primitive breeds of cattle; horses; and sheep;
which having resulted from the crippled state of agriculture and
everywhere from neglect of crossing of breeds; exhibit a side
spectacle worthy of their clumsy owners。
How much do the productive powers of the nations already owe to
the importation of foreign breeds of animals and to the improvement
of the native breeds; and how much has yet to be done in this
respect! All the silkworms of Europe are derived from a few eggs;
which (under Constantine) were brought to Constantinople in hollow
sticks; by Greek monks from China; where their exportation was
strictly prohibited。 France is indebted to the importation of the
Thibet goat for a beautiful product of her industry。 It is very
much to be regretted; that hitherto the breeding and improving of
animals has been chiefly carried on in order to satisfy the
requirements of luxury; and not in order to promote the welfare of
the large masses。 The descriptions of travellers show that in some
countries of Asia a race of cattle has been seen which combines
considerable draught power with great swiftness of pace; so that
they can be used with almost the same advantage as horses for
riding and driving。 What immense advantages would such a breed of
cattle confer on the smaller agriculturists of Europe! What an
increase in means of subsistence; productive power; and
convenience; would the working classes thereby obtain! But even far
more than by improved breeds; and importation from one country into
another of various animals; has the productive power of the human
race been increased by the improvement and importation of trees and
plants。 This is at once evident; if we compare the original plants
as they have sprung from the bosom of nature; with their improved
species。 How little do the primitive plants of the various species
of corn and of fruit trees; of edible vegetables and of the olive;
resemble in form and utility their improved offspring! What masses
of means of nourishment; of enjoyment; and comfort; and what
opportunities for the useful application of human powers; have been
derived from them! The potato; the beet…root; the cultivation of
root crops for cattle; together with the improved systems of
manuring and improved agricultural machines; have increased
ten…fold the returns of agriculture; as it is at present carried on
by the Asiatic tribes。
Science has already done much with regard to the discovery of
new plants and the improvement of them; but governments have not
yet devoted to this important object so much attention as they
ought to have done; in the interests of economy。 Quite recently;
species of grass are said to have been discovered in the savannas
of North America; which from the poorest soil yield a higher
produce than any fodder plants; which are as yet known to us; do
from the richest soil。 It is very probable that in the wild regions
of America; Asia; Africa; and Australia; a quantity of plants still
vegetate uselessly; the transplantation and improvement of which
might infinitely augment the prosperity of the inhabitants of
temperate climates。
It is clear that most of the improvements and transportations
of animals and vegetables; most of the new discoveries which are
made with respect to them; as well as all other progress;
inventions; and discoveries; are chiefly calculated to benefit the
countries of the temperate zone; and of those most of all; the
manufacturing countries。
NOTES:
1。 Esprit des Lois; Livre xx。 chap。 xxiii。
2。 According to Chardin; the Guebres; an unmixed tribe of the old
Persians; are an ugly; deformed; and clumsy race; like all nations
of Mongol descent; while the Persian nobility; which for centuries
has intermarried with Georgian and Circassian women; is
distinguished for beauty and strength。 Dr Pritchard remarks that
the unmixed Celts of the Scottish highlands are far behind the
Scottish Lowlanders (descendants of Saxons and Celts) in height;
bodily power; and fine figure。 Pallas makes similar observations
respecting the descendants of the Russians and Tartars in
comparison with the unmixed tribes to which they are related。 Azara
affirms that the descendants of the Spaniards and the natives of
Paraguay are a much more handsome and powerful race of men than
their ancestors on both sides。 The advantages of the crossing of
race are not only apparent in the mixing of different nations; but
also in the mixing of different family stocks in one and the same
nation。 Thus the Creole negroes far surpass those negroes who have
sprung from unmixed tribes; and who have come direct from Africa to
America; in mental gifts as well as in bodily power。 The
Caribbeans; the only Indian race which chooses regularly its women
From neighbouring tribes; are in every respect superior to all
other American tribes。 If this is a law of nature; the rise and
progress which the cities of the Middle Ages displayed shortly
after their foundation; as well as the energy and fine bodily
appearance of the American people; are hence partly explained。
Chapter 19
The Manufacturing Power and the Instrumental Powers (Material
Capital) Of the Nation
The nation derives its productive power from the mental and
physical powers of the individuals; from their social; municipal;
and political conditions and institutions; from the natural
resources placed at its disposal; or from the instruments it
possesses as the material products of former mental and bodily
exertions (material; agricultural; manufacturing; and commercial
capital)。 In the last two chapters we have dealt with the influence
of manufactures on the three first…named sources of the national
productive powers; the present and the following chapter are
devoted to the demonstration of its influence on the one last
named。
That which we understand by the term 'instrumental powers' is
called 'capital' by the school。 It matters but little by what word
an object is signified;