320 LESSONS FEOM NATUKE. [CHAP. X. 



assures us that they never choose their wives for their 

 voices, but for health and physical beauty. But Mr. Darwin s 

 theory not only does not account for, but positively conflicts 

 with the facts. Music is capable of producing the most 

 noble and lofty emotions, and especially harmonizes with and 

 gratifies the religious instincts. Were his theory correct, 

 it would be rather the most sensual and brutal instincts to 

 which music should minister. 



While considering the question of sexual selection, it may 

 Mr. Francis be worth while to note in passing some passages of 

 view. Mr. Darwin s writing which conflict with the view 



maintained by Mr. Francis Galton with respect to the injury 

 inflicted on society by the abstinence from marriage of in 

 dividuals who have devoted their lives to the practice and 

 propagation of beneficence. He says:* 



&quot;Admitting for the moment that virtuous tendencies are inherited, 

 it appears probable, at least in such cases as chastity, temperance, 

 humanity to animals, &c., that they become first impressed on the 

 mental organization through habit, instruction, and example, continued 

 during several generations in the same family, and in a quite subordi 

 nate degree, or not at all, by the individuals possessing such virtues, 

 having succeeded best in the struggle for life. My chief source of 

 doubt with respect to any such inheritance, is that senseless customs, 

 superstitions, and tastes, such as the horror of a Hindoo for unclean 

 food, ought on the same principle to be transmitted. 



&quot;Although this in itself is perhaps not less probable than that 

 animals should acquire inherited tastes for certain kinds of food or fear 

 of certain foes, I have not met with any evidence in support of the 

 transmission of superstitious customs or senseless habits.&quot; 



This is an important admission indeed! Again he tells 

 us :t 



&quot; A man who was not impelled by any deep, instinctive feeling, to 

 sacrifice his life for the good of others, yet was roused to such actions 

 by a sense of glory, would by his example excite the same wish for 

 glory in other men, and would strengthen by exercise the noble feeling 

 of admiration. 



&quot; He might thus do far more good to his tribe than by begetting off 

 spring with a tendency to inherit his own high character.&quot; 



* Descent of Man, vol. i. p. 102. f (&amp;gt;j&amp;gt;. cit. p. ltj.&amp;gt;. 



