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LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



to say (in matters over which the powers that be do 

 not assume control), the case would be different. It 

 might be worth while, in that case, to argue about the 

 population question in its national and social aspect. 

 But, in point of fact, our people marry and are given 

 in marriage according to their own ideas of what is 

 right or desirable ; and as to the question of family 

 fertility, the only way in which argument can possibly 

 affect this question is by making the generality 

 acquainted with facts which had not before been widely 

 known, however familiar to physiologists, and through 

 them to all classes of nature students. In other words, 

 argument can act in one direction only in this matter. 

 Not one person throughout the length and breadth of 

 the British Empire will be led by any of the arguments 

 which have been so profusely urged to modify his 

 ideas, either as to the desirability of a numerous pro- 

 geny, or as to the direction in which duty points ; but 

 many may first learn through these discussions that 

 the question of duty enters into the matter at all (for 

 what is regarded as, to all intents and purposes, in- 

 evitable, cannot be considered either a duty in one 

 aspect, or an offence in another). 



On another point I would indicate a circumstance 

 in which, I think, the tone of these discussions might 

 be advantageously modified. Whether the discussions 

 avail or not to modify the conduct of individuals, and 

 thus affect the wellbeing of the community either 

 favourably or the reverse it is certain that nearly 

 evervone who takes part in them on either side does 



