150 THE DESCENT OF MAN. 



social instincts, largely guided by the approbation of our 

 fellow-men, ruled by reason, self-interest, and in later 

 times by deep religious feelings, and confirmed by instruc- 

 tion and habit. 



It must not be forgotten that although a high standard 

 of morality gives but a slight or no advantage to each 

 individual man and his children over the other men of the 

 same tribe, yet that an increase in the number of well- 

 endowed men and an advancement in the standard of 

 morality will certainly give an immense advantage to one 

 tribe over another. A tribe including many members who, 

 from possessing in a high degree the spirit of patriotism, fidel- 

 ity, obedience, courage and sympathy, were always ready to 

 aid one another, and to sacrifice themselves for the common 

 good, would be victorious over most other tribes; and this 

 would be natural selection. At all times throughout the 

 world tribes have supplanted other tribes; and as morality 

 is one important element in their success, the standard of 

 morality and the number of well-endowed men will thus 

 everywhere tend to rise and increase. 



It is, however, very difficult to form any judgment why 

 one particular tribe and not another has been successful 

 and has risen in the scale of civilization. Many savages 

 are in the same condition as when first discovered several 

 centuries ago. As Mr. Bagehot has remarked, we are apt 

 to look at progress as normal in human society; but history 

 refutes this. The ancients did not even entertain the idea, 

 nor do the Oriental nations at the present day. According 

 to another hi^h authority, Sir Honry Maine,* " the greatest 

 part of mankind has never shown a particle of desire that its 

 civil instiJutions should be improved." Progress seems to 

 depend on many concurrent favorable conditions, far too 

 complex to be followed out. But it has often been remarked, 

 that a cool climate, from leading to industry and to the 

 various arts, has been highly favorable thereto. The Esqui- 

 maux, pressed by hard necessity, have succeeded in many 

 ingenious inventions, but their climate has been too severe 

 for continued progress. Nomadic habits, whether over wide 

 plains, or through the dense forests of the tropics, or along 

 the shores of the sea, have in every case been highly detri- 

 mental. While observing the barbarous inhabitants of 



* " Ancient Law," 1861, p. 22. For Mr. Bageliot's remarks, 

 " Fortnightly Review," April 1, 1863, p, 452. 



