ld land surface as it
did not erode. Substantially the same set of changes are observed in
English and German geology.<28>

Having thus given an outline of the climatic changes which took place
in Europe during the Glacial Age, and the grounds on which these strange
conclusions rest, we must now turn our attention to the appearance of
man.

The uncertainties which hung over his presence in the earlier periods,
spoken of in the former chapter, do not apply to the proofs of his
presence during this age, though it is far from settled at what
particular portion of the Glacial Age he came into Europe. We must
remember we are to investigate the past, and to awaken an interest
in the history of a people who trod this earth in ages long ago. The
evidence on which we establish a history of the early tribes of Europe
is necessarily fragmentary, but still a portion here and a piece
there are found to form one whole, and enable us to form quite a vivid
conception of manners and times now very far remote.

It is not claimed that we have surmounted every difficulty--on the
contrary, there is yet much to be deciphered; but, in some respects, we
are now better acquainted with these shadowy tribes of early times than
with those whose history has been recorded by the historian's facile
pen. He has given us a record of blood. He acquaints us with the march
of vast armies, tells us of pillaged cities, and gives us the names of
a long roll of titled kings; but, unfortunately, we know little of the
home life, the occupation, or of those little things which make up the
culture of a people. But the knowledge of primitive tribes, gathered
from the scanty remains of their implements, from a thorough exploration
of their cavern homes, has made us acquainted with much of their home
life and surroundings: and we are not entirely ignorant as to such
topics as their trade, government, and religion. We must not forget
that this is a knowledge of tribes and peoples who lived here in times
immeasurably ancient as compared with those in existence at the very
dawn of history.

We must try and form a mental picture of what was probably the primitive
state of man; and a little judicious reasoning from known facts will
do much for us in this direction. Some writers have contended that the
first condition of man was that of pleasing innocence, combined with a
high degree of enlightenment, which, owing to the wickedness of mankind,
he gradually lost. This