378 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 



by many writers, who liad little more than a general interest in 

 recording the fact. Recently the fact has jreceived scientific 

 notice; and it has been observed that such changes occur and 

 become fixed even without any utility arising to the species. Pro- 

 fessor Ridgeway, about three years ago^ in his presidential 'address 

 to the Royal Anthropological Institute on " The Influence of 

 Environment on Man," incidentally referred to the Institute's 

 deputation to the Prime Minister, and to the Minister's public 

 enunciation that the time had now come when a knowledge of 

 Anth,topology must form part of the normal equipment of civil 

 servants engaged abroad. " But this," said Professor Ridgeway, 

 " was not all. The reception of our deputation by the ^frime 

 Minister brought under the notice of many other Ministers, 

 ex-Ministers, and great oSicials, the fact that Anthropology must 

 now be regarded as an important instrument idx carrying on the 

 business of the State"; and he proceeded to speak of the recog- 

 nition of the practical imjjortance of Anthropology by commercial 

 men and others. 



I have dealt with this subject in a pamphlet on Race Culture 

 and the Conditions that Influence it in South Australia. But I 

 would state here that, judging from what is already known, 

 environment will modify the physical structure of the race, the 

 bones, the form of the head, the vocal organs, the appearance of 

 the skin, hair, and eyes; it will change the times during child- 

 hood at which maximum growth occurs; it will modify the time of 

 adolescence and the climacteric; it will influence the mental and 

 moral characters, the appetites, passions, and aspirations of the 

 young and the old ; it will reduce the birth rate ; it will modify our 

 medical pathology. And all these changes, under intelligent and 

 judicious guidance and by i-ational living, according to wisely 

 directed education, will contribute to the well-being of the people 

 and expand national life to its fullest possible development. 



This brings us to the individual and to the question of the aim 

 of life. Heine said — " I believe in progress; I believe that 

 happiness is the goal of humanity; and I cherish a higher idea 

 of the Divine Being than tliose pious folk who suppose that man 

 was created only to suffer. Even here on earth I would strive, 

 through the blessings of free political and industrial institutions, 

 to bring about that reign of felicity which, in the opinion of the 

 pious, is postponed till after the day of judgment." 



But, if happiness is the end, we must remember that all 

 philosophy, all religion, all human experience since experience 

 began to be recorded, has shown that happiness is not to be 

 attained by direct pursuit, least of all by the pursuit of pleasure. 

 If I were to frame a definition, I would say that '"' Happiness is 

 the overtones of duty joyfully done " — any musician will supply 

 the technical knowledge necessary for understanding the definition. 



