322 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



exhibition in state constitutions, but is penetrating the whole social 

 life. In its wider sense it signifies the mergence of class-differences, 

 the abolition of transmitted privileges and inherited exclusiveness, and 

 the assertion of individuality. It is true that this tendency is older 

 than the railroads and telegraphs, and its origin can not be ascribed to 

 them ; but it is also true that they have given it a great impulse, to 

 which compulsory education, universal military obligation, and univer- 

 sal suffrage, have equally contributed. Railroads treat all their pas- 

 sengers alike. All must adapt themselves to the same order and regu- 

 lations. No one can interfere with the time of arrival or departure, 

 or the speed, or the length of stoppages. Even special trains must not 

 interfere with the time-table. In the case of cars of different classes, 

 the only criterion of distinction is that of price ; whoever pays the 

 charge can travel in the corresponding class, whether it pleases his 

 fellow-passengers or not, and he receives the same treatment as they. 

 The ideas suggested by such commingling are very apt to be carried 

 into other fields of intercourse. 



With the democratizing of society is flowing a parallel current of a 

 practical materialism, which is manifested in a predominance of ma- 

 terial interests over ideal ones, in the recognition of egoism as a lead- 

 ing principle in trade, in the estimation of men's deeds, only according 

 to their visible consequences, and in the rejection of all that transcends 

 realism. This drift is not new in human civilization ; but it is 

 a new fact that the masses have been drawn into it, and that they 

 aim to make it potent after they have destroyed or reformed the old 

 civil and social order. Its causes are complicated, and are perhaps 

 only indirectly referable to the expansion of means of communication; 

 but they are connected with the results of increased traffic and inter- 

 course, and their operation is re-enforced by them. 



It is too soon to speculate as to what will be the end or the ulti- 

 mate result of these two parallel movements. Translated for the Pop- 

 ular Science Monthly from the Deutsche Rundschau. 







DIET IN RELATION TO AGE AND ACTIVITY. 



Br Sir HENEY THOMPSON. 



ENOUGH, and more than enough, perhaps, has been uttered con- 

 cerning the prejudicial effects on the body of habitually using 

 alcoholic beverages. It is rare now to find any one, well acquainted 

 with human physiology, and capable of observing and appreciating 

 the ordinary wants and usages of life around him, who does not be- 

 lieve that, with few exceptions, men and women are healthier and 

 stronger, physically, intellectually, and morally, without such drinks 



