ty of origin, we are likely to find some measure of unity
in other respects, and this is what we do find, in fact, in the case of
Western civilization. It does possess a certain unity of character, and
this is largely due to unity of origin, and is maintained in spite of
marked divergences, which have not impeded an effective
intercommunication but have tended rather to add interest and value to
the results which that intercommunication has produced.

SECTION I.--UNITY OF CHARACTER

There is a certain unity of character running through all civilization,
and indeed through all humanity. Certain fundamental institutions and
principles of organization are common to East and West, to the ancient
and modern world, to civilization and savagery, and there is not the
least evidence that the similarities are the result of historic
connexion. On the contrary, they arise from a human nature which is
fundamentally the same, adjusting itself to conditions of life which are
fundamentally the same. But of course it is only the broadest and most
general characters that are thus common to all the world. Within them
there is every sort and degree of specific difference. There are types
within types, worlds within worlds, and what we call Western
civilization is one of these. That is to say, it is at the present day a
family or group of nations sharing in common certain things which
distinguish it from the rest of the world, such things, for instance, as
a certain degree of social order, a certain outlook upon life, certain
fundamentals of religion and ethics, and an industrial organization
based on applied science. Now to mention any of these points is at once
to provoke a criticism. In each respect, it will be said, the nations of
Western Europe and the lands that have been colonized from them differ
vastly among themselves. The social order of Germany is by no means that
of England. The industrial development of southern Italy is very
different from that of Belgium. The Prussian outlook upon life--this in
particular will be emphasized just now--is quite another thing from the
French. This is true enough, but once again it means only that there are
further specific differences within the genus. We could pursue the
differences as far down as we like. For the United Kingdom, say, is by
no means one homogeneous whole. Even within England alone deep
contrasts reveal themselves between the agricultural South and the
industrial North. Yet we