DA R 1 1 'INISM A ND POLITICS. 



ment is ascribed by the poet ; and it is a con- 

 venient morality for some human animals in 

 London to-day. Admirable, doubtless this 

 scheme of salvation for the elect by the damna- 

 tion of the vast majority; bu t, pray, do n ot let 

 us hear anything more about its "beneficence." 



6 -> 



THE EVOLUTION THEORY APPLIED TO 

 HUMAN SOCIETY. 



I am not speaking at random about these 

 ethical applications of the conception of struggle 

 for existence. Darwin hi mself, as always , is 

 most cautious and guarded in his referenc e to 

 anythin g that lies outside hi ^ own special sphere 

 o f observatio n. He looks forward to the 

 elimination of the lower races by the higher 

 civilised races throughout the world. 1 He 

 points out how "a struggle for existence con- 

 sequent on his rapid multiplication," has ad- 

 vanced man to his present high condition ; 

 "and, if he is to advance still higher, it is to be 

 feared that he must remain subject to a severe 

 struo-a-le. O therwis e he would sink into in do- 

 lcnc e T and the more gifted m en would not be 

 mo re successful in the battle of life than the 

 1 Life and Letters, I. 316. 



