The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-06-10
Effect OF Institutfons on Character
nnd Appearances.

nnd Appearance.
Quite an interesting account of his
travels in Italy, is given by Mr.. w.
D. Howells-apparently professor
in Harvard University. He has writ
ten two books on Italy, one entitled
Venetian Life" and the other eta
lian Journeys" He speaks of Pom
pey's statue in the Spoda Palace, at
Rome, as follows:
Regarding the face of Pompey's
statue in the Spoda Palace, I was
more struck than ever with the re-
semblance to American politicians,
which I had noted in all the Roman
States. It is type of face not now
to be found in Rome, but frequently
enough here, (that is, the United
States and rather in the South than
in the North. Pompey was like the
pictures of so many Southern Con-
gressmen, that I wondered whether
race had not less to do with produ-
cling types. than similarity of circum-
stances; whether n republicanism
based upon slavery would not so far
assimilate character, Us to produce q
common aspect in people widely Sc
parated by time and creeds, but hav-
ing the same unquestionable habits of
command, and the same boundless
ambition.
That race produces different types
Of men, is too obvious to be ques-
toned. Why men should exist in
differently races, no one can tell be.
yond tho fact, that it has pleased the
Creator to make them So. The
widest disparity exists amongst the
largest mnsses-as the Caucasian
the Mongolian, African, &c.,-but
even amongst the same race, there
are most striking differences. In the
Caucasian rnce-the Englishman-
the Frenchman-the Spaniard-
Arabian-the Gcrman-nre all clearly
distinguisllable from each other, not
only in physical appearance, but also
in temperament and character Still
moro minute in the subdivision of
race, comes the Inhabitants of pro-
vinces or cities in the same country
and lower still, of families in the
same community. These differences
mako different types of men, but
there cannot be doubt, that moral
habitudes, and civil pursuits,
and intellectual cultivation, have
their influence in changing the
characteristics of races, and in mould
ing the types of men they afford.
Take for instance-thc priestly order
do not their habits, cultivation,
and pursuits affect their appearance?
Take the inhabitant of the country
does he not differ from the inhabi-
tant of the city? So nation of peo-
pie engaged in commerce and manu-
factures, do not look like those en-
gnged in agriculture. If it is true,
therefore, that the nero industrial
pursuits Of people affect their
looks and nppearance-add the ele-
ment of slavery to dominating class
engaged in agriculture, and is it not
most natural, Judging from all the
analogies of nature, that peculiar
type of men should be produced.
Before the Christian era, the noblcst
type of men the world produced were
shareholders. Romc and Greece
were slaveholding nations, and pro-
duced development of humanity
that for grace, beauty, and power,
have never been cquallcd. One of
the certain effects Of slavery, is to
produce individuality in the master.
He is a ruler, in his every day dntics
of life. TO think for himself, to act
for himself and others, gives him he
ccssarily the characteristics Of indie
pcndcncc and command. His daily
duties and habits must influence his
looks and bearing. Hence it is most
natural to infer TINT shareholders, ns
II class, must be different in appear
nncc and manners from those who do
not own and rule slaves; and that
there will be q certain resemblance in
their bearing and looks. Mr.. How
ellis observation, therefore, that the
statues Of the great men of Greece
and Rome, strikingly resemble the
former Southern members Of Con-
grcss, is, wo have no doubt. correct.
But slavery is gone; and with it,
we presume, the type of face"
which it naturally creates. The States
of Rome md Greece will no longer
find their resemblances in the halls of
Congress or in the battlefield. Yet
still the Southern people will continne
to be, rs they now are, peculiar
people, both in looks and characte-
ristics. Time alone cnn show whether
they will push on to greatness or