Racial Origins of English Character: with an Appendix on Language

Abstract

WHETHER mental qualities can be associated with racial characters is a question to which both anthropologists and psychologists have recently devoted considerable attention, but with no marked result. Yet it is a matter of some moment, especially in the application of the results of science to the practical affairs of life. Mr. Bradley, boldly ignoring difficulties, has presented his readers with an analysis of the English character and achievement in the various departments of life—religion, politics, literature, science, and art—which is based upon the racial differentiation into Nordic, Alpine, and Mediterranean. He has an acute observation, a wide knowledge of his fellow-countryman, and a pretty sense of humour. His courage in essaying a difficult task will no doubt receive its due reward in a shower of hostile criticisms; but we hope that his critics will at least be grateful that he has given them something to criticise and that his mistakes may lead to the elaboration of a sounder method. Mr. Bradley, in evaluating racial character, relies upon material which ultimately is based upon impression. Until the psychologist can devise some objective method of determining and evaluating racial mental characters, study of the question is rendered nugatory by the personal equation.

Racial Origins of English Character: with an Appendix on Language.

R. N.

Bradley

By. Pp. 192. (London: George Allen and Unwin, Ltd., 1926.) 6s. net.