EUGENICS IN THE FUTURE 69 



the removal of the small cards might thus be reversed. The 

 elimination of the mifit, however beneficial in itself, might 

 not alone prevent a deterioration in the breed from taking 

 place. 



In fact, the greatest danger to the race in the future is 

 likely to result from what is taking place amongst the 

 mass of the people. It is the large families now so often 

 produced by the less useful citizens, and the smaU families 

 produced by so many of those on whom our prosperity 

 depends, that constitute the danger signal. It is even 

 more important to look to the inferior than to the unfit. 



But who are the inferior ? Taken literally, this term is 

 a very vague one. If we imagine a steady improvement 

 in our race going on for long ages — and this, I have no 

 doubt, is at all events a possibility — we see that the superior 

 of one generation would in these circumstances be like the 

 inferior of the succeeding generations. We may, therefore, 

 hope that as time goes on a higher and higher standard 

 will be set when considering what kind of persons ought not 

 to become parents. For the present the line to be drawn 

 separating desirable from undesirable parenthood must be 

 decided by purely practical considerations ; that is, by 

 considering what is and what is not possible. 



When considering whether it is possible to make any 

 move, other than by mere persuasion, in the direction of 

 lessening the fertility of the inferior, there are two classes 

 of persons to whom it is especially desirable that attention 

 should be directed. The first class comprises those who are 

 living an imcivilized life in our midst. The second class 

 includes all those who have for a long time been in receipt of 

 help of various kinds from the State ; that is, of public 

 assistance, as it may be called. Let us begin by considering 

 this second class, who may be conveniently grouped together 

 under the title of dependents, thus separating them off from 

 all truly independent citizens. 



A few words must, however, first be said in regard to 

 certain general questions. What is the effect of public 

 assistance on the size of the families of those thus assisted ? 



