296 THE EVOLUTION OF SEX. 



from that of the individual struggle, we see the importance of 

 the general neo-Malthusian position, despite the risks which the 

 particular modes of its practice may involve. 



Apart from the pressure of population, it is time to be learn- 

 ing (i) that the annual childbearing still so common, is cruelly 

 exhaustive to the maternal life, and this often in actual duration 

 as well as quality ; (2) that it is similarly injurious to the 

 standard of offspring ; and hence (3) that an interval of two 

 clear years between births (some gynaecologists even go as far 

 as three) is due alike to mother and offspring. It is time there- 

 fore, as we heard a brave parson tell his flock lately, " to have 

 done with that blasphemous whining which constantly tries to 

 look at a motherless " (ay, or sometimes even fatherless) " crowd 

 of puny infants as a dispensation of mysterious providence." 

 Let us frankly face the biological facts, and admit that such 

 cases usually illustrate only the extreme organic nemesis of 

 intemperance and improvidence, and these of a kind far more 

 reprehensible than those actions to which common custom 

 applies the names, since they are species-regarding vices, and 

 not merely self-regarding ones, as the others at least primarily 

 are. To realise the social consequences of sexual intemperance 

 is enough to obviate any hasty criticism of neo-Malthusianism, 

 whatever conclusion may be arrived at as to its sufficiency. 



It is time, however, to point out the chief weakness in neo- 

 Malthusian proposals, which are at one in allowing the gratifica- 

 tion of sexual appetites to continue, aiming only at the preven- 

 tion of the naturally ensuing parentage. To many doubtless 

 the adoption of a method which admits of the egoistic sexual 

 pleasures, without the responsibilities of childbirth, would mul- 

 tiply temptations. Sexuality would tend to increase if its respon- 

 sibilities were annulled ; the proportion of unchastity before 

 marriage, in both sexes, could hardly but be augmented ; 

 while married life would be in exaggerated danger of sinking 

 into " monogamic prostitution." On the other hand, it seems 

 probable that the very transition from unconscious animalism 

 to deliberate prevention of fertilisation, would tend in some to 

 decrease rather than increase sexual appetite. 



It seems to us, however, essential to recognise that the ideal 

 to be sought after is not merely a controlled rate of increase, 

 but regulated married lives. Neo-Malthusianism might secure 

 the former by its more or less mechanical methods, and there 

 is no doubt that a limitation of the family would often increase 



