krit, or sacred language of the Hindus, indisputably point out the kindred origin of the Indians and these classical nations. 'From the neighborhood of the Bish-Balig (or the fine towns) issued those successive swarms which traversed the rivers of the Euxine and made their way into Europe, first under the names of Hunns, and afterwards under those of Chazars, Bulgarians and Komarians.' (Vol. IV. p. 315.) These races all came from the neighborhood of the lake Baikal, and are identical with the same great Turkish race, part of which still occupies the mountain-environed region of Bisn-Balig, in a state barely removed from barbarism; another portion having over-run the southeastern part of Europe, and the adjacencies of Asia, comprise the present Ottomans, considerably advanced in civilization; and still another portion mingled with the inhabitants of central Europe, in a still more favorable geographical position, have carried civilization to the highest limit yet attained upon this globe.
It may be objected to these views, that they do not account for all the phenomena;—for instance, the stationary or retrograde movements of nations dwelling in geographical positions most favorable to the development of civilization. The reply to this objection, is, that certain geographical positions are capable of producing and advancing civilization of a certain type to its utmost stage of development, and that beyond this type there are general or grand advances, which can only be accomplished by the blending or amalgamating the civilization of one type with that of another type, more advanced, or perhaps a complementary co-ordinate. And, moreover, the advancement of civilization in a continuous stream, is impossible in any one given geographical location, because no one location upon the globe is furnished even with the physical requisites of such advancement. The civilization of Egypt could originate and grow perfect in no part of the earth, except such as the Nile or a similar stream should overflow in periods synchronous with certain astronomical events. Nor could Egyptian civilization develop, in Egypt, the more ideal and beautiful type of Greek civilization, nor yet the civilization of Great Britain—and for obvious physical reasons.
Having advanced any type of civilization to the perfection of its type, men regard it as good, and worthy the preserving; but, in the endeavor to preserve it from innovation, they are apt to surround it with barriers that keep it stationary; hence, stationary civilization. Retrograde movements, in favorable geographical positions, arise from conquest, or some great moral depression brooding over the people. Yet at any, the most distant time, when this moral cause may be removed, the people will become salient and progressive.
It may be further objected that in this hypothesis the vast influence of Christianity, as a civilizer, is not taken into the account. Yet no one can be more profoundly sensible than we, of the paramount importance of Christianity among the influences which govern human advancement. Without Divine Revelation the human mind could never have soared to those heights of thought whence drop down those hallowed sentiments, which in creating the joys of home and the wants of home, the abeyance of a well spent present, to a glorious future life—have stimulated the human mind in its onward path.
The Great Founder of the Christian religion has said, that the seed must fall upon good ground, in order to bring forth good fruit; and this truth is fully exemplified in the topographical movement of Christianity. Begun in the very center of the habitable globe, the gospel radiated in all directions. From Jerusalem the Apostles went forth, armed with holy zeal, and planted the banner of the Cross in the four corners of the earth, as recorded in the New Testament: they were successful in every direction. But where
