82 Appendix I 



statements of which, so far, no statistical 

 demonstration has been given. On the 

 other hand, I think there is statistical proof 

 of my factor that the abler stocks are now 

 relatively less fertile, and that this, associated 

 with the inheritance of ability, must lead to a 

 dearth of the capable men required to officer 

 all branches of our national activity. 



' I should above all things like to see a 

 full and careful inquiry into the action of 

 town life on racial characters. But I do not 

 believe that this can be done by commissions. 

 It must be done by a statistical bureau with 

 ample staff and equipment. The problem is 

 a delicate, intricate, and extensive one, which 

 may take years to solve, but its solution 

 would be of the greatest national importance. 

 Above all, no hasty step should be taken in 

 asserting that our present dearth of ability 

 is due in the main to the predominance of 

 urban life. In nearly all medico-sociological 

 problems at the present day we need a pre- 

 liminary statistical inquiry, and this must be 

 made on modern statistical lines. If Sir 

 James Crichton- Browne's insistence on the 

 evils of urban life leads to such an inquiry, 

 it will have done great good. It may be 

 noted that probably the first stage in such an 

 inquiry would be the much-needed anthro- 

 pometric survey of our whole school popula- 

 tion. But I do not think the need for such 

 an inquiry should postpone our pressing 

 home on the English middle classes the 



