The Descent of Man

society; but history refutes this. The ancients
did not even entertain the idea, nor do the
Oriental nations at the present day. According
to another high authority, Sir Henry Maine (7.
'Ancient Law,' 1861, p. 22. For Mr. Bagehot's
remarks, 'Fortnightly Review,' April 1, 1868, p.
452.), "the greatest part of mankind has never
shewn a particle of desire that its civil institutions
should be improved." Progress seems to
depend on many concurrent favourable conditions,
far too complex to be followed out. But it
has often been remarked, that a cool climate,
from leading to industry and to the various
arts, has been highly favourable thereto. The
Esquimaux, pressed by hard necessity, have
succeeded in many ingenious inventions, but
their climate has been too severe for continued
progress. Nomadic habits, whether over wide
plains, or through the dense forests of the tropics,
or along the shores of the sea, have in every
case been highly detrimental. Whilst observing
the barbarous inhabitants of Tierra del