CLIMATE AND CHARACTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 12

CLIMATE AND CHARACTER

Sir.—Tn Friday's issue, in the "Notes and Comments" Voliimn, yon report the address given by Professor E. G. B--Tavlor to the British Association on "Climate and Character." May I suggest, for the consideration of those interested in the subject, that Professor Taylor has not gone far enough back in his research, and has consequently put cause and effect in the wrong order. He refers to the meaning of the word "climate" in the 16th century as the probable reason why certain characteristics were ascribed to the nations in different zones and suggests that the various nations were presumed to have certain particular differences because they were ruled over by different gods. I would suggest that the origin goes much farther back, and that the reverse was the process. The early r>hi!osophers, noting the different peculiarities of the various nations, yet ignoring climatic influence, ascribed to each god the care of the people whoso particular characteristics coincided with their notion of that god, or that, in even earlier times, the nations ascribed to their particular gods those characteristics which they admired and which were predominant in themselves. "While it is true that every typo can bo found in any one country, it is undeniable that there is a distinctly different- type representing the people of different countries, especially an obvious _ different between the vigorous, physically active type of temperate and colder climates, and the inhabitants of hot countries, as the pleasure-loving Spaniard or the philosophic Indian. I have no desire to set my opinion against that of Professor Taylor, but suggest this as a theory worthy of some consideration. Interested.