252 CULTURE 



next generation. But in the interfusion of 

 marriage the qualities of the father very fre- 

 quently miss descending to the son ; and, judging 

 by the number of rich who rise from obscurity, 

 talents often take birth in the families of quite 

 humble folk. Moreover, we must remember that 

 our chief national indebtedness is to men not of 

 aptitude but of genius, who have generally risen 

 from the undistinguished crowd, and have contri- 

 buted, not children, but ideas to posterity. There 

 are illustrations to show that striking originality 

 may emerge even from negro parentage. In the 

 present uncertainty of our knowledge it appears 

 discreet to keep an open mind upon questions of 

 heredity. Degenerate parents will breed liability 

 to disease : by selective breeding size of stature, 

 strength of muscles, and beauty of features may 

 doubtless be promoted. But originality of genius 

 is a more subtle character : it seems unaccount- 

 ably to be allied with reproductive sterility. When 

 so much is doubtful, theories are hazardous. It 

 may be that, in their impulse to treat mankind 

 from the purely physical standpoint, eugenists are 

 leading us to such results as appear to have 

 attended the Indian caste system. We have 

 progressed by imitation ; but we have been led 

 by genius ; and no excellencies of body could 

 compensate for the loss of upspringings of 

 spontaneity. 



