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TEE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



only 10 additions per minute. As a result of this partial equalization 

 of opportunity, the superior individuals were farther ahead than ever! 

 If equality of opportunity has no equalizing effect in so easily alterable 

 a trait as rapidity in addition, surely it can have little power in such 



^ 



^ 



Group! Group n Group 1 Group n Group! Group H 



Initial Ability Gains from equal Ability after equal 



practice practice 



Chart 4. The Relation of the Gains from Equal Amounts of Practise in 

 THE Case of Individuals of High and Low Initial Ability. 



traits as energy, stability, general intellectual power, courage or 

 kindliness. 



Men differ by original nature. With equal nurture of an inferior 

 sort they progress unequally to low stations; with equal nurture of a 

 superior sort they progress unequally to high stations. Their absolute 

 achievements, the amounts of progress which they make from zero up, 

 are due largely to the environment which excites and directs their 

 original capacities. Their relative achievements — the amounts of 

 progress which they make, one in comparison with another — are due 

 largely to their variations one from another in original capacities. 



The man's original nature, too, has large selective power over his 

 environment. The thousand babies will in large measure each create 

 his own environment by cherishing this feature and neglecting that, 

 amongst those which the circumstances of life offer. As Dr. Woods has 

 well argued, the power of the environment to raise or lower a man is 

 very great only when the environment is unavoidable. We must remem- 

 ber that one of these babies, if of mean and brutal nature, can by 

 enough pains avoid industry, justice and honor, no matter how carefully 

 he is brought up; and that one of them of intellectual gifts can, if he 

 cares enough, seek out and possess adequate stimuli to achievement in 

 art, science, or letters, no matter how poor and sordid his home may be. 



If, a hundred years ago, every boy in England could liavo luul as 



