THE MALE AND THE FEMALE MIND 251 



effects. When it is founded on the reciprocal 

 recognition of congenial traits, it may lead to mar- 

 riages based on an element which has much to do with 

 securing the permanence and agreeableness of human 

 ties. The happiest marriages are undoubtedly those 

 in which an element of romance is a permanent 

 feature. The full force of sexual charm and love, 

 devoid of sensuality, is one of the most powerful 

 influences in life. It is a power which makes for 

 gentleness, consideration, and self-sacrifice and, in- 

 deed, for better ideals generally. It is strengthened 

 by the possession of children, but may exist without 

 them. It may also exist for a lifetime between 

 unmarried people, whose affection never has been 

 based on anything approaching the sensual side of 

 sexual instinct. It is, I believe, a power of the first 

 importance for the elevation of the race. But in its 

 most ideal forms it has probably hitherto come 

 within the experience of relatively few human beings. 

 It seems not unlikely that this higher sort of affection 

 between the sexes is destined to become more diffused 

 as the races meliorate, and that it will one day be- 

 come a far greater force in the general uplift than it 

 is to-day. 



