266 On the Cretins of the Vallais. 



inter-marriages with families whofe anceftors had 

 unfortunately a fhare in the calamity. The re- 

 verfe of the propofition, I have been lately in- 

 formed from very refpedable authority, holds 

 equally true; and that Cretin colonies removing 

 from the diftrift, and marrying only amongft them- 

 felves, after one generation, or at moft two, lofe 

 the difguftful diftinftion they carried with them. 

 Long as the fubjeft of this paper has exifted, it 

 is aftonifhing nothing has been fyftematically 

 written on it. A memoir, was indeed read, 

 fome years ago, to the Royal Society at Lyons, 

 but as I do not find it was ever publifhed, the 

 members only became acquainted with the opi- 

 nions, its author, the Comte de Maugiron, enter- 

 tained. Government has at laft begun to inter- 

 eft itfelf, and has recommended fome precautions 

 to be taken, by which, it is hoped, the number 

 of the Cretins will diminifli. Many of the moft 

 deplorable are now fecluded from fociety, and 

 maintained with great care in the hofpital at 

 Sion ; and their marriages with each other, which 

 were formerly permitted in order to prevent other 

 inconveniences, and by which they were propa- 

 gated ad infinitum, are not at prefent allowed of. 

 The early management of the children is alfo 

 particularly attended to, and minutely watch- 

 ed; and on the leaft fufpicion of a tendency 

 towards Cret;nage, they are fent into the diftant 

 mountains to be nurfed. Whether any of thefc 



precautions, 



