158 



GREAT MEN OF THE WORLD. 



doubtful right in a list of great intellects should be eliminated, the 

 diagram would run down regularly to the end, leaving a less number 

 of persons in classes a and b than in class c. It is furthermore evi- 

 dent that a number of men, like the younger Dumas and Robert 

 Stephenson, did not achieve their eminence by their unaided efforts, 



IP 2 O 39 90 SV 



FIG. DISTRIBUTION OF 354 GREAT MEN BY THEIR BIRTH-RANKS. 



but largely in consequence of the opportunities given them by their 

 fathers. 



The elder Dumas had a birth-rank of 41. He may be consid- 

 ered as an eminent man, but we find him placed in juxtaposition 

 with men still more eminent. If we were to estimate father and 

 son by the number of square inches given to their biographical 

 notices in the Cyclopedia, we would find the elder to be five times 

 as eminent as his son. 



REVIEW OF INCOMPLETE TABLES. 



Passing from the groups of men for whom the birth-ranks have 

 been definitely determined, we have in table XIX a small group of 



