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inherited, in both direct and indirect lines, through many 

 generations of his family. In connection with thirst, hunger, 

 and sexual appetite, innumerable instances might be given 

 as to the heredity of dipsomania, gluttony and erotism, so 

 also with the more complex passions as gambling, avarice, 

 theft, and murder, all of which are unquestionably subject 

 to the law of heredity. 



In proceeding to briefly consider the heredity of the Will, 

 I must be careful in the outset to define what I mean by the 

 term, and to guard myself from all metaphysical discussions 

 about free-will and heredity, which have caused so much 

 wrangling amongst philosophers and theologians. Still, 

 concerning myself with phenomena and experience the 

 true domain of science, and having already considered the 

 contemplative faculties of the mind, as to their heredity, I 

 am now anxious to show that the active faculties of mind, 

 as represented by the term Will (and all that it implies), are 

 alike subject to the law of heredity. 



"The will, volition, or voluntary action is," says Bain, "on 

 the outside, a physical fact. Animal muscle under nervous 

 stimulation is one of the mechanical prime movers ; the 

 motive power of muscle is as purely physical as the motive 

 power of steam ; food is to the one what fuel is to the other. 

 The distinguishing peculiarity of our voluntary movements 

 is that they take their rise in feeling, and are guided by 

 intellect ; hence, so far as will is concerned, the problem of 

 physical and mental concomitance is still a problem, either 

 of feeling or of intellect. There are three elements in the 

 will: (i) the spontaneous energy or surplus activity of the 

 system ; (2) the fundamental law of pleasure and pain, and 

 (3) a large superstructure of acquired connexions between 

 feelings and specific movements. With regard to the first,, 



