THE PATH OF EVOLUTION 



for warmth, for shelter and protection. Depending 

 thus upon a stronger and a wiser one than themselves, 

 they are relieved in part or whole from the thought 

 and care for the present moment and the immediate 

 future that later in life await them. Their new- 

 born energies surprise and delight them ; to run, to 

 leap, to exercise their muscles, is to play. At first 

 the inherited records on their brain of acts oft re- 

 peated by their progenitors, unconsciously lead them 

 in the guise of instinct to do what is best to do ; the 

 parents' example teaching them later as they are 

 able to learn. Thus, in the exuberance of youth- 

 ful blood, to eat, to sleep, to run and to play, to 

 know no danger, feel no pain, to have no care or 

 thought of the future, mere existence is perfect happi- 

 ness ! As they grow older the duties of life come 

 on. The nearly adult animal has at first only itself 

 to feed and to forage for, but anxiety, watchfulness and 

 fatigue take the place of careless play. Its faculties 

 are sharpened by avoiding danger or in seeking its 

 prey. Mere pleasure has to yield its place to duty 

 that carries pleasure with it at first in caring for 

 itself, and later in caring for others. A new hap- 

 piness comes with the latter the love for its off- 

 spring. 



Our own childhood is much the same as that of 

 other animals. For the first year the child has but 



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