FRANCIS GALTON 33 



stages in the development of eugenics (i) "It must 

 be made familiar as an academic question." (2) 

 As a practical subject worthy of serious considera- 

 tion. (3) It must be "introduced into the 

 national conscience, like a new religion." He 

 recapitulates in an eloquent phrase : "It has, 

 indeed, strong claims to become an orthodox 

 religious tenet of the future, for Eugenics co- 

 operates with the workings of Nature, by securing 

 that humanity shall be represented by the fittest 

 races. What Nature does blindly, slowly, and 

 ruthlessly, man may do providently, quickly, and 

 kindly." 



Here we see the future of eugenics marked out 

 for us, and the last sentence might well serve as a 

 motto for this Society. How are we to work for the 

 cause ? 



It is true that our opinions are formed by the 

 daily papers, and our actions as a nation are 

 determined by political parties which come and go 

 largely by chance. But however our opinions 

 originate, if they are strongly and persistently urged 

 by a large majority of Englishmen, great changes in 

 the manner of human life may be effected. Per- 

 sistence is the great thing in all reforms: in the words 

 of my father's favourite quotation — "It's dogged 

 as does it." Francis Galton has been temperately 

 persistent in a marked degree. His caution and 

 wisdom are illustrated by the dates of his writings 

 on eugenics and heredity, which placed in order 

 suggest a regiment relentlessly advancing, not a 

 bunch of heroes rushing on a breach : — 



