THE BIRTH-RATE 65 



birth-rate is not altogether satisfactory. But there is 

 undoubtedly much fine material among casual labourers, 

 and a better organization of the labour market may de- 

 casualize their labour, enabling them to acquire a more 

 assured social status, and with it an increased economic 

 and social value. The worst signs of the results of the 

 selective birth-rate are to be seen elsewhere. 



We have already said that the feeble-minded are 

 prolific. This fact is well shown by some figures 

 given by Dr Tredgold, who pointed out that, while 

 the average number of children in the families that 

 use the ordinary elementary schools is about four, 

 the average number in those families which have one 

 member at least in the special schools for the mentally 

 defective is 7*3. Other evidence pointing in the same 

 direction might be adduced, and it is certain that, in 

 present conditions, the mentally defective families are 

 reproducing themselves relatively faster than sounder 

 stocks. 



The general opinion, and even the views of econo- 

 mists, on the subject of population and the means 

 of subsistence have varied greatly from time to time. 

 In the stress of a great war, the cry is for more men ; 

 and, during the Seven Years' War in particular, the 

 small population of Britain as compared with that of 

 France was recognized as a danger. Pitt, whose genius 

 and courage saved England, wished ardently for more 

 people, and reckoned rightly as a benefactor to his 

 country the man who brought up well a large family. 

 But in 1798 Malthus, misled by a partial knowledge 

 of the economic problem, proclaimed that human 



5 



