The influence of climate upon
human character:
" We
have seen that Negroes are in general characterised by levity,
excitability, and great emotionalism. They are found eager to
dance whenever they hear a melody. They are everywhere described
as stupid. The real reason for these opinions is that, as has
been shown by philosophers in the proper place, joy and gladness
are due to expansion and diffusion of the animal spirit. Sadness
is due to the opposite, namely, contraction and concentration
of the animal spirit. It has been shown that heat expands and
rarefies air and vapours and increases their quantity. A drunken
person experiences inexpressible joy and gladness, because the
vapour of the spirit in his heart is pervaded by natural heat,
which the power of the wine generates in his spirit. The spirit,
as a result, expands, and there is joy. Likewise, when those
who enjoy a hot bath inhale the air of the bath, so that the
heat of the air enters their spirits and makes them hot, they
are found to experience joy. It often happens that they start
singing, as singing has its origin in gladness. "
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