THE EVOLUTION OF A FATHER 405 



Yet whether the road be straight or devious is of 

 little moment. The one significant thing is that it 

 rises. We have reached a stage in Evolution at 

 which physiological gains are guarded and accent-' 

 uated, if not in an ethical interest, at least by- 

 ethical factors becoming utilized by natural selec- 

 tion. Henceforth affection becomes a power in 

 the world ; and whatever physiological adjustments 

 continue to perfect themselves, the most attached 

 Families will have a better chance of surviv- 

 ing and of transmitting their moral character- 

 istics to succeeding generations. The completion 

 of the arch of Family Life forms one of the 

 great, if not the greatest of the landmarks of 

 history. If the crowning work of Organic Evolu- 

 tion is the Mammalia, the consummation of 

 the Mammalia is the Family. Physically, psy- 

 chically, ethically, the Family is the masterpiece 

 of Evolution. The creation of Evolution, it was 

 destined to become the most active instrument 

 and ally which Evolution has ever had. For 

 what is its evolutionary significance? It is the 

 generator and the repository of the forces which 

 alone can carry out the social and moral pro- 

 gress of the world. There they rally when 

 they become enfeebled, there their excesses 

 are counterbalanced, and thence they radiate 



