INTRODUCTION 13 



As we have said, the character of a nation is but the 

 average character of the individuals composing it. If 

 one section of the community reproduce itself faster than 

 others, its essential qualities hasten with ever-increasing 

 speed to permeate the whole. The qualities of that 

 section become the dominating qualities of the race, its 

 peculiarities become the normal characteristics of the 

 nation. Therefore our third condition leads to a study 

 of the relative birth-rate in different classes and among 

 different types of the people. 



Finally, we must turn to a consideration of the 

 causes and effects of a selective birth-rate, and inquire 

 how far the present social conditions are favouring or 

 impeding the more rapid reproduction of all good and 

 noble qualities. 



