SOME FACTS OF INHERITANCE 135 



inherently wise, spontaneously and voluntarily benefit 

 by such knowledge, and at the same time we can leave 

 the congenital fools to bear the consequences and 

 pay the penalties of their own follies. There is, it 

 seems to us, after long and anxious deliberation over 

 this question, no other rational and safe path. 



When we deal with two persons like Nos. 18 and 

 19 in the C. Generation, we have little doubt as to 

 their degeneracy and anti-social attributes. Both 

 were epileptic, insane, and thieves. When in virtue 

 of their criminal deeds they appear at a Criminal 

 Court, we should certainly advocate the right of the 

 State to enquire into their family history, and finding 

 it to be what it is, to condemn them to life-long segre- 

 gation, under humane conditions, from the commu- 

 nity. But to do that is one thing. To create an 

 army of officials who are to go forth and hunt for 

 degenerates and to label every individual in the 

 community with an official ticket, is quite another. 

 The one thing lends itself to the minimum possibilities 

 of abuse, the other to the maximum growth of an 

 intolerable tyranny. 



With regard to the remaining members {i.e. Nos. 

 20, 22—28, C, and 13—22, D.), whom we have 

 blacked-in as degenerate, there is little room, prob- 

 ably, for difference of opinion, bearing in mind not 

 only the individual attributes, but also the family 

 history. For the individuals have already mani- 

 fested the inherent defects of their race. We will urge 

 nothing at this point against the wickedness of 

 deliberately endeavouring to preserve the defective 



