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Ellis, Havelock, 1859-1939

"Sexual Selection In Man"

.. I should add
that a most experienced observer, Captain [Sir R.] Burton,
believes that a woman whom we consider beautiful is admired
throughout the world." (Darwin, _Descent of Man_, Chapter XIX.)
Mantegazza quotes a conversation between a South American chief
and an Argentine who had asked him which he preferred, the women
of his own people or Christian women; the chief replied that he
admired Christian women most, and when asked the reason said that
they were whiter and taller, had finer hair and smoother skin.
(Mantegazza, _Fisiologia della Donna_, Appendix to Cap. VIII.)
Nordenskjoeld, as quoted by Ploss and Bartels, states that the
Eskimo regard their own type as more ugly than that produced by
crossing with white persons, and, according to Kropf, the Nosa
Kaffers admire and seek the fairer half-castes in preference to
their own women of pure race (Ploss and Bartels, _Das Weib_,
seventh edition, bd. 1, p. 78). There is a widespread admiration
for fairness, it may be added, among dark peoples. Fair men are
admired by the Papuans at Torres Straits (_Reports of the
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition_, vol.


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