144 THE MENDEL JOURNAL 



prevented from reproducing their kind. But it by 

 no means follows that because we can do nothing to 

 reform the true degenerates that it is hopeless to try 

 and improve tlie average slum child. We might 

 as justly argue that it is useless to send children to 

 school because certain acephalic idiots are incapable 

 of learning anything. 



I do not believe that all slum children are 

 degenerate ; no, not even a large proportion of 

 them — I share the Bishop of Stepney's liking for 

 the indej)endent street Arab who sells newspapers 

 in our streets — and I believe that the majority are 

 of the right stuff, but prevented from becoming 

 good men and women by their miserable circum- 

 stances. What they most want is an environment 

 filled with decent people, whether the scenery be 

 romantic or otherwise. 



I feel strongly about this; and I object to cold 

 water being tin-own iixliscriminatel}^ on the efforts 

 of social reformers. By all means let us have 

 criticism, for of course mistakes are made, but the 

 criticism to be helpful must not be merely destruc- 

 tive. The people of the slums are with us, and 

 we have got to make the best of them 

 we can. It is no use saying it is hopeless, for the 

 only alternative, destruction, is not practicable. 

 The limitation of procreation among the undesirable 

 classes, excepting those who can be legally certified 

 as criminal or degenerate, is not likely to become a 

 matter of practical politics for many years. By all 

 means, let public opinion be educated to accept the 



