168 DARWINISM AND RACE PROGRESS. 



matters through the family solicitor. We have pride 

 in so-called " birth," which is of very fictitious bio- 

 logical value, and think much of an alliance with one of 

 good family. Men and women have already, therefore, 

 learned to tread with caution on the pathway which 

 leads towards the altar, and for the most part no longer 

 give full play to vanity and passion pure and simple. 

 We are prepared, therefore, to look before we leap, 

 but we look in the wrong direction, we avoid incon- 

 venience and plunge into catastrophe. The reason 

 for this is that we are but partially educated in the 

 real ends and aims of life, and do not know the 

 course which leads to ultimate success provided we 

 follow it. 



Our False Ideas regarding Marriage. 



We have instincts, right perhaps in the main, but 

 these have been followed blindly. Pride in illustrious 

 ancestry is most reasonable, and the wish to carry on 

 the family name is allied to that praiseworthy egotism 

 which makes every cat prefer her own kittens to any 

 others. These natural instincts have, however, up to 

 the present led us to desire wealth and position for 

 our offspring rather than robust constitutions and 

 mental activity. We have avoided in many cases, 

 by what we term suitable marriages, poverty and 

 inconvenience, yet in contracting these marriages 



