PE OGEES 8 OF MAN. 183 



become hereditary in children ; though language 

 seems to vary too rapidly. But it may be 

 hereditary to a limited extent ; and if it were 

 possible to rear two children, born of English 

 parents, of exactly equal capacities, and under 

 exactly similar circumstances, one in France 

 and one in England, it is more than probable 

 that the child who was brought up in England, 

 would learn to speak and read English much 

 more quickly and easily than the other child 

 would acquire a knowledge of French. 



At first sight, it appears to be a strange law 

 that many diseases are hereditary ; but as good 

 qualities are inherited so are evil, and it is a 

 fearful truth that " the sins of the fathers are 

 visited upon the children," both physically and 

 morally. Yet on looking at the subject more 

 closely, we find that this is really a wise and 

 merciful provision for the good of the human 

 race. Throughout all Nature, the interests of 

 the individual are invariably merged in those of 

 the species, for the ultimate advancement of the 

 latter. By the law of hereditary transmission, 

 all the qualities of the present, whether heredi- 

 tary or acquired, are liable to be transmitted to 

 the offspring, Now, hereditary diseases are in 



