Note note 21 — NOTES TO PART I

34821 Smell of white man (p. 61).--However contemptuously we may talk about the “smell of niggers” or “of Chinese” and others, there is no doubt that we of the white race emit an odour that is very noticeable to other races. Repeated bathing and frequent changes of clothes will not eradicate the odour, for a black man can tell when another black man has been within a yard of any white man for a short time. Account for it how you will, the black, red, yellow and white races each emits an effluvium peculiarly its own and offensive to the others--we must, therefore, bear and forbear. We as a white race are used to our own scent and do not notice it, and when one lives a long time amongst black people he becomes accustomed to their odour.