44 2 Human Physiology. 



would be found in a large and varied society, where would be 

 far greater opportunities than now exist for finding congenial 

 partners in marriage; occupation for all the faculties; the in- 

 terests of friendship and ambition; watchful oversight, and 

 wise guardianship and counsel ; with a thousand inducements 

 towards pure and honourable conduct, and fewer temptations 

 to immorality and profligacy. People who are busy, active, 

 interested, full of employment, and full of enjoyment, are not 

 the ones who "go to the bad." They behave best when fully 

 and happily employed. It is idleness and ennui that tempt to 

 dissipation and vice. The happy do not get drunk; the pros- 

 perous need not steal; the active and ambitious, full of occu- 

 pation, and surrounded by friendly appreciation, do not plot 

 villanies or perpetrate outrages. And in such a society as 

 might be, all would be able to marry who wished to do so ; no 

 one would be obliged to marry for money or a support; and 

 no poor girl could be tempted by sheer necessity to sell herself 

 to a life of shame. Seduction by fraud, or the promise of 

 marriage, would cause the instant banishment of the seducer; 

 and every flagrant violation of honesty or morality would meet 

 with a like punishment. Educated in such a social state, 

 women would be stronger, more self-reliant, and far less than 

 now the victims of the selfishness and vices of men. 



I think it will be seen at once that such an associa- 

 tion would be the best possible security against most of the 

 vices of civilised society, while drunkenness, and bad 

 habits of various kinds which make some people nuisances 

 to others, a healthy public opinion would find ready means 

 to reform. 



The education, habits, occupations, and professions of men, 

 the places in which they are fixed, and the ruts in which they 

 move, undoubtedly present difficulties to any scheme of social 

 reform or re-organisation. Transitions are painful; habit is a. 

 second nature; but when great evils are to be remedied and 



