2 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



I will not dwell on the fallacy of the above conclusions as referring to 

 the relative mortality of widows a fallacy sufficiently obvious to any 

 one who thinks awhile. I will confine myself to the less-conspicuous 

 fallacy in the comparison between the mortalities of married and celi- 

 bate, fallen into by M. Bertillon as well as Dr. Stark. Clearly as their 

 figures seem to furnish proof of some direct causal relation between 

 marriage and longevity, they really furnish no proof whatever. There 

 may be such a relation; but the evidence assigned forms no warrant 

 for inferring it. 



We have but to consider a little the circumstances which in many 

 cases determine marriage, and those which in other cases prevent 

 marriage, to see that the connection which the figures apparently imply 

 is not the real connection. Where attachments exist, what most fre- 

 quently decides the question for or against marriage ? The possession 

 of adequate means. While some are so reckless as to marry without 

 means, yet it is undeniable that in very many instances marriage is 

 delayed by the man, or forbidden by the parents, or not assented to 

 by the woman, until there is reasonable evidence of ability to meet the 

 responsibilities. Of those men whose marriages depend on getting 

 the needful income, which are the most likely to get the needful in- 

 come ? Those who are best, physically and mentally the strong, the 

 intellectually capable, the morally well-balanced. Often bodily vigor 

 achieves a success-, and therefore a revenue, which bodily weakness, 

 unable to bear the stress of competition, cannot achieve. Often supe- 

 rior intelligence brings promotion and increase of salary, while stupid- 

 ity lags behind in ill-paid posts. Often caution, self-control, and a 

 far-seeing sacrifice of present to future, secure remunerative offices that 

 are never given to the impulsive or the reckless. But, what are the 

 effects of bodily vigor, of intelligence, of prudence, on longevity, when 

 compared with the effects of feebleness, of stupidity, of deficient self- 

 control? Obviously the first further the maintenance of life, and the 

 second tend toward premature death. That is, the qualities which, on 

 the average of cases, give a man an advantage in getting the means of 

 marrying, are the qualities which make him likely to be a long liver j 

 and conversely. 



There is even a more direct relation of the same general nature. 

 In all creatures of high type, it is only when individual growth and 

 development are nearly complete that the production of new indi- 

 viduals becomes possible ; and the power of producing and bringing 

 up new individuals is measured by the amount of vital power in excess 

 of that needful for self-maintenance. The reproductive instincts, and 

 all their accompanying emotions, become dominant when the demands 

 for individual evolution are diminishing, and there is arising a surplus 

 of energy which makes possible the rearing of offspring as well as the 

 preservation of self; and, speaking generally, these instincts and emo- 

 tions are strong in proportion as this surplus vital energy is great. 



