Havelock Ellis

The Soul of Spain Havelock Ellis

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1915. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Ill THE WOMEN OF SPAIN There are some countries, one is inclined to assert, peculiarly apt to produce fine men, others peculiarly apt to produce fine women. That this is so on the physical side all who are familiar with several countries have had occasion to observe. It is so also on the mental side. I have elsewhere pointed out, when investigating the genius of Great Britain, that while the men of Scotland have contributed more than their share to the sum of British intellectual achievement, and the men of Ireland less, as regards women the case is reversed, and the women of Ireland have contributed more than the women of Scotland.1 The Spaniards, if we take their history as a whole, have been a peculiarly virile people, yet at the present day one is tempted to think that the women of Spain are on the average superior to the men. In the past, the men of Spain have been distinguished by the most brilliant personal qualities. In the Spanish men of to-day, however, it is sometimes difficult to recognise the splendid and restless activities of their forefathers. There is often a certain air of lassitude about them which is reflected in the comparative absence of brilliant adventurers or highly endowed personalities among the men of modern Spain when compared with the men of the great ages. It cannot be said that this must be set down to "degeneration," for then it would affect the feminine half of the race; but the women are full of energy and vigour even to advanced age; the Spaniards also are certainly a healthy people, and centenarians are by no means rare.1 1 Havelock Ellis, A Study of British Genius, p. 28. While the problem is somewhat complicated, we may perhaps appeal to selection for its explanation. Everything has happened that could happen to ki...