THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1912. THE FINEST RACE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10583, 14 March 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1912. THE FINEST RACE.

11l its current number, the "Strand" has a very interesting symposium on that very large question, which is physically the finest race? So far as physical 'beauty in men is concerned, most of the votes of the artists, scientists, athletes and travellers asked for their opinions, go to the Italians, hut as regards women only the British Isles carry olf the prize. The dignity and grace of the Turks have many, admirers, and the physical fitness of the Scandinavians is repeatedly emphasised. One of the most surprising features of the symposium is the disparagement, expressed and implied, of the Germans. Only one of_ the experts approached praises their physique, and more than one remarks on their tendency to embonpoint. Eminent men in the world of art expre-.s directly opposite opinions. Mr Marcus Stone laments the •'inarticulate and -complete type of form" in Great Britain, and the- ungainly, constrained actions of the race. Mr ITamo Thornycrol't, a leading sculptor, thinks England can show a type nearest of all living types to the famous Greek standard. The author of "The Living Races of Mankind" thinks the men and women of the English upper middle class are a type better than any that can be found in Europe among corresponding classes. Mr Sa'idow has- h : '>;h nraiiv the I'>':;-

lish. Ho regards power of accomplishment as the highest test of physical fitness, and in this the English-! man is supreme. English habits, especially games, give an unrivalled hardiness, nervous tone, and physical alertness. The Scandinavian has the greatest muscular development, but this is discounted by comparatively slow action. The physical alertness of the English Mr Sandow regards as one of the secrets of their national greatness, and the only other people who anproach thorn in that regard are the Japanese. Dr Harrison iTetrie, who knows most of the races of the world, thinks that, regarded mere- , Iy as a line animal, the Spanish peasant takes the prize among men, and the lower-class Venetian among women. On the whole, the British race comes out of the "Strand's" enquiry very well.