6oo THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



den achievement, we have, I imagine, a fairly complete explanation of 



the facts. 



If now we compare the results in the different groups we reach 

 other interesting conclusions. Speaking roughly, one may say that 

 the numbers showing distinct promise before twenty in the several 

 classes are represented by the following fractions : 



Musicians \% 



Artists 



Scholars 



( Poets 



equal -j Novelists 



( Men of science 



Philosophers | 



In order, however, to get a just idea of the relative proportions of 

 the several classes, we must further compare them in respect of the 

 date of the commencement of the productive period and also of the 

 age at which distinction is attained. If we take work before thirty as 

 representing early production, we find the proportions in the different 

 groups to be approximately as follows : 



Musicians \ 



Artists 



Poets H 



Scientists 



Scholars y 



Philosophers f 



Novelists Yg 



Finally, with respect to the age of distinction, we learn that the 

 following proportions attain this point before forty : 



* equal < 

 equal j 



Musicians { 



Artists -j- 



Poets H 



Scientists \ i 



Scholars -fy 



Novelists 5 



Philosophers , f 



It will be seen at once, on comparing these tables, that on the whole 

 the order of the classes in point of precocity corresponds pretty closely 

 with the order in which we have examined them. Musicians and art- 

 ists stand at the head of the list throughout, and philosophers come 

 last in two out of three of the scales. On the other hand, the relative 

 position of the intermediate groups poets, scholars, novelists, and sci- 

 entists varies considerably in the different scales; 



Without attempting an exhaustive explanation of these figures, a re- 

 mark or two may be hazarded as to the more potent influences at work : 



If we make twenty-five the limit, we find that artists just surpass musicians. 



* 



