90 THE DOCTRINE OF DESCENT 



actually brought upon neighbouring countries. At all 

 times this theory, if it is logically carried out to the 

 end, has an uncommonly suspicious aspect, and the 

 fact that it has gained the sympathy of socialism has 

 not, it is to be hoped, escaped your notice. We must 

 make that quite clear to ourselves." 



On reading this statement, which seems extracted 

 from the Berlin " Kreuz-Zeitung," or the Vienna 

 " Yaterland," I ask myself in surprise, " What in the 

 world has the doctrine of descent to do with socialism ? " 

 It has already been abundantly proved on many sides, 

 and long since, that these two theories are about as 

 compatible as fire and water. Oscar Schmidt might 

 with justice retort, " If the socialists would think 

 clearly they would feel that they must do all they can 

 to choke the doctrine of descent, for it declares with 

 express distinctness that socialist ideas are im- 

 practicable." And he proceeds to add, " And why has 

 not Virchow made the gentle doctrines of Christianity 

 responsible for the excesses of socialism ? That would 

 have had some sense. His denunciation flung so 

 mysteriously and so confidently before the great public, 

 as though it concerned ' a sure and attested scientific 

 truth,' is, at the same time, so hollow that it cannot 

 be brought into harmony with the dignity of science." 



With all these empty accusations, as with all the 

 empty reproaches and groundless objections which 



