I00 AMERICAN MEN OF LETTERS [ IO o 



Nevertheless, in spite of all the evidence of the great 

 influence of environment, Ward's attractive theory that 

 nature is a negligible quantity could not be accepted. 

 In the first place, it was argued that not all persons 

 whose environments are good succeed in rising beyond 

 mediocrity. Again, it was noted that many persons do 

 achieve success when environmental conditions are ex- 

 tremely unfavorable. Finally, it was pointed out that a 

 very few families in the American population had pro- 

 duced literati out of all proportion to the number of their 

 members (Table XXVII). It therefore seemed a reason- 

 able deduction that considerable ability must be present 

 in any individual whom the environment is to mould 

 into a person of unusual attainments. 



The data impinging on the three theories of nature 

 / and nurture have now been summarized. It appears that 

 there have been three especially important factors in the 

 development of American men of letters, a good hered- 

 ity, furnishing stock capable of being developed, an 

 education adequate to develop latent ability, and a social 

 environment furnishing incentive to the naturally en- 

 dowed and amply educated to turn their attention to 

 literature. The other environmental influences discussed 

 have also been important in so far as they facilitate the 

 acquisition of an education and the development of 

 interest in literary subjects. 



It may seem strange to some readers that such seem- 

 ingly extreme theories as those of Galton and Ward can 

 be held by scientific men. The fact is readily explicable, 

 however. Apparently both men were carried away by 

 their enthusiasm for their theses. Each was desirous of 

 convincing the world that human welfare could be fur- 

 thered by improving the factor which he emphasized. 

 In his eagerness to support his major proposition he as- 



