I A 2 The Descent of Man. Pabt I 



The remarkable success of the English as colonists, compared 

 to other European nations, has been ascribed to their " daring 

 " and persistent energy ; " a result which is well illustrated by 

 comparing the progress of the Canadians of English and French 

 extraction ; but who can say how the English gained their energy ? 

 There is apparently much truth in the belief that the wonderful 

 progress of the United States, as well as the character of the 

 people, are the results of natural selection ; for the more ener- 

 getic, restless, and courageous men from all parts of Europe 

 have emigrated during the last ten or twelve generations to that 

 great country, and have there succeeded best. 19 Looking to the 

 distant future, I do not think that the Kev. Mr. Zincke takes an 

 exaggerated view when he says i 30 i( All other series of events — 

 " as that which resulted in the culture of mind in Greece, and 

 " that which resulted in the empire of Piome— only appear to 

 " have purpose and value when viewed in connection with, or 

 " rather as subsidiary to ... . the great stream of Anglo-Saxon 

 " emigration to the west." Obscure as is the problem of the 

 advance of civilisation, we can at least see that a nation 

 which produced during a lengthened period the greatest 

 number of highly intellectual, energetic, brave, patriotic, and 

 benevolent men, would generally prevail over less favoured 

 nations. 



Natural selection follows from the struggle for existence ; and 

 this from a rapid rate of increase. It is impossible not to regret 

 bitterly, but whether wisely is another question, the rate at 

 which man tends to increase ; for this leads in barbarous tribes 

 to infanticide and many other evils, and in civilised nations to 

 abject poverty, celibacy, and to the late marriages of the prudent. 

 But as man suffers from the same physical evils as the lower 

 animals, he has no right to expect an immunity from the evils 

 consequent on the struggle for existence. Had he not been sub- 

 jected during primeval times to natural selection, assuredly he 

 would never have attained to his present rank. Since we see in 

 many parts of the world enormous areas of the most fertile land 

 capable of supporting numerous happy homes, but peopled only 

 by a few wandering savages, it might be argued that the struggle 

 for existence had not been sufficiently severe to force man up- 

 wards to his highest standard. Judging from all that we know 

 of man and the lower animals, there has always been sufficient 

 variability in their intellectual and moral faculties, for a steady 

 advance through natural selection. No doubt such advance 



29 Mr. Galtoa, « Macoilkn's and National Life,' Dec. 1869, p. 184. 

 Magazine,' August, 1865, p. 32,">. 30 'Last. Winter in the United 



See also, 'Nature,* 'On Darwinism States,' 1868, p. 29. 



