290 



FOOT-NOTES TO EVOLUTION. 



we find a maximum of sense impressions and a minimum 



of action. Where thought does not go over into action 



a sort of mental dyspepsia is produced. 



^" ^ . To this abnormal condition the term 



dyspepsia. ^, , • ,, 1 , i- , 1 



"degeneration has been apphed, but 



this name is misleading, because it implies more than 



the actual truth. 



To a phase of degeneration Mr. Israel Zangwill has 



lately applied the clever designation of " the higher 



foolishness." By this is meant unbal- 



^ '^ ^^ anced action and expression on the part 



foohshness. , , ^ , , • t 



of people of culture or education. It 



is act or speech " which makes the judicious grieve," 

 on the part of those supposed to know better. Such 

 people lacking the saving grace of common sense are 

 most of those called by Nordau "degenerates." With 

 these belong the "monkey geniuses" of Dr. Hirsch, 

 the " borderland dwellers " of Dr. Maudsley, the " bor- 

 derlanders " of Mr. Stead, the " degeneres superieurs " 

 of Magnan, the " mattoids " of Lombroso, and, in gen- 

 eral, the inspired idiots and educated fools of all ages 

 and climes. 



These people have in common the quality of abnor- 

 mal mental action, verging into insanity on the one 

 hand, to crime on another, and to stupidity on the third. 

 They are, however, distinguished from ordinary idiots, 

 or lunatics, or criminals by some notable quality, by some 

 power of action or expression or attribute of genius, 

 which causes them to attract public notice. 



The qualities of these people in relation to art, 



literature, and religion have been the 



Nordau on subject of the remarkable work by Max 



degeneration. ^t . • , , t^ 



Nordau entitled Degeneration. 



Nordau's work has the merit of a picturesque style. 



It has a basis of truth, and contains a veritable mine of 



