148 THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. 
means are the feebler stocks, who would otherwise have been 
eliminated by the free and uncontrolled action of the forces of 
Nature. ‘To illustrate this I must again confine myself to one 
instance. Dr. Berry Haycroft in his Milroy Lectures deli- 
vered this year, makes a careful analysis of the statistics of 
the prison population of those American States in which all 
traffic in intoxicating drink is forbidden by law, and where a 
genuine attempt has been made to carry out its provisions. 
In the state of Maine, this experiment has been going on for 
about forty years. He finds that the percentage of the inhabi- 
tants of prisons and reform schools to the general population 
has markedly increased; and, a crucial point, that this is 
especially seen in the young. The number per million has 
risen from 176 in 1880 to 256 in 1890. The statistics of in- 
sanity and pauperism give a similar result. If we think, we 
shall see that this is only what might have been expected from 
the law of Natural Selection. Although no one can doubt the 
evil effects of the abuse of strong drink on the bodies and con- 
duct of men, yet, when the selective action of Alcohol in 
removing the less stable mental and moral organizations, 
before they can leave descendants behind them to resemble 
their parents, is taken away, it is not an unmixed good to the 
community at large. What effect can any legislation have on 
the future of the race? It may have the greatest effect ; but it 
is a two-edged sword, and while it may be potent for good, it 
can be no less potent for evil; for unless legislation be in har- 
mony with the laws of nature it will fail lamentably, and leave 
ruin in its wake. 
It is easy enough to see the evils of insufficient government, 
but it is not so evident, at first sight, that laws designed to 
promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number, may 
have equally, or, even more disastrous effects. It is only by 
studying the records of the past that we may learn in what 
consists true obedience to the laws of Nature. To illustrate 
this, I will in a few words, cite the history of two remarkable 
