THE EVOLUTION OF A FATHER 393 



of the world. Had the institution of the Family 

 depended on Sex and not on affection it would 

 probably never have endured for any time. Love 

 is eternal ; Sex, transient. Its unbridled expres- . 

 sion in individual natures, and its recklessness when 

 thwarted, have given rise to exaggerated ideas of 

 its power. In all uncontrolled forms, however, 

 it becomes so immediate a menace to social order 

 that if it does not die out in self-destruction it is 

 checked by the community and forced into lawful 

 channels. The only thing that could bear the 

 heavy burden of social order and adapt itself to 

 every change and fresh demand was the inde- 

 structibly solid, yet elastic, strength of love. The 

 care and culture of love therefore became thence- 

 forth the first great charge of Evolution, and 

 every obstruction to its path began to be swept 

 away. Whatever facilities could further its career 

 were gradually adopted, and changes which soon 

 began to pass over the face of all human societies 

 seemed but parts of one great conspiracy to hasten 

 its final reign. 



For a prolonged and protective Fatherhood, once 

 introduced into the world, was immediately taken 

 charge of by Natural Selection. The children who 

 had fathers to fight for them grew up ; those who 

 had not were killed or starved. The lengthening 



