Lectures on Physiology, p. 337.) The Chinese have by nature unusually
small feet (72. This fact was ascertained in the Reise der Novara:
Anthropolog. Theil. Dr. Weisbach, 1867, s. 265.); and it is well known
that the women of the upper classes distort their feet to make them
still smaller. Lastly, Humboldt thinks that the American Indians prefer
colouring their bodies with red paint in order to exaggerate their
natural tint; and until recently European women added to their
naturally bright colours by rouge and white cosmetics; but it may be
doubted whether barbarous nations have generally had any such intention
in painting themselves.
In the fashions of our own dress we see exactly the same principle and
the same desire to carry every point to an extreme; we exhibit, also,
the same spirit of emulation. But the fashions of savages are far more
permanent than ours; and whenever their bodies are artificially
modified, this is necessarily the case. The Arab women of the Upper
Nile occupy about three days in dressing their hair; they never imitate
other tribes, but simply vie with each other in the superlativeness of
their own style. Dr. Wilson, in speaking of the compressed skulls of
various American races, adds, such usages are among the least
eradicable, and long survive the shock of revolutions that change
dynasties and efface more important national peculiarities. (73.
Smithsonian Institution, 1863, p. 289. On the fashions of Arab women,
Sir S. Baker, The Nile Tributaries, 1867, p. 121.) The same principle
comes into play in the art of breeding; and we can thus understand, as
I have elsewhere explained (74. The Variation of Animals and Plants
under Domestication, vol. i. p. 214; vol. ii. p. 240.), the wonderful
development of the many races of animals and plants, which have been
kept merely for ornament. Fanciers always wish each character to be
somewhat increased; they do not admire a medium standard; they
certainly do not desire any great and abrupt change in the character of
their breeds; they admire solely what they are accustomed to, but they
ardently desire to see each characteristic feature a little more
developed.
The senses of man and of the lower animals seem to be so constituted
that brilliant colours and certain forms, as well as harmonious and
rhythmical sounds, give pleasure and are called beautiful; but why this
should be so we know not. It is certainly not true that there is in the
mind of man any universal standard of beauty with respect to the human
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