THE RISE OF FAMILIES 107 



stuff in them, and, less fortunate than Tom, found their 

 way into the workhouses, where they were systematically 

 drafted off to the factories. In those days there was a 

 high rate of illegitimacy, to which every section of 

 the community contributed. Heredity laughs at the 

 marriage ceremony, and manifests itself freely without 

 benefit of clergy. Nowadays an able foundling is 

 rare; the change in quality, as well as in quantity, is 

 well marked to all who are familiar with the internal 

 history of workhouses. 



In looking back over such a period, and in con- 

 sidering the rise of families in the light of tradition and 

 records, it is easy to see how the pronounced concep- 

 tions of individualism arose. After the movement was 

 once fairly started, their enterprise, their sense of 

 power, their need for a larger sphere of action caused 

 the abler men to drift away from the familiar sur- 

 roundings. The recollection of the old quiet home- 

 stead faded, and the tradition of it was lost in a couple 

 of generations. It is easier for an individual or for 

 the branch of a family to effect an alteration in their 

 sphere of activity after a change of locality ; for the 

 presence of and habitual contact with relatives of 

 another position and different type of mind prevents 

 complete fusion with a new circle in the same neigh- 

 bourhood. The interests and sympathies of two 

 divergent branches of a family will soon become dis- 

 cordant ; feelings of irritation and disappointment are 

 engendered, and are best and most thoroughly allayed 

 by the action of time and distance. 



Conditions of the early days of the nineteenth century 

 made travelling difficult ; a visit to the old home once in 



