138 THE DESCENT OF MAN. 



culture of the mind, had no refuge except in the bosom of a 

 Church which demanded celibacy;-' and this could hardly fail to 

 have had a deteriorating influence on each successive generation. 

 During this same period the Holy Inquisition selected with ex- 

 treme care the freest and boldest men in order to burn or im- 

 prison them. In Spain alone some of the best men — those who 

 doubted and questioned, and without doubting there can be no 

 progress— were eliminated during three centuries at the rate of a 

 thousand a year. The evil which the Catholic Church has thus 

 effected is incalculable, though no doubt counterbalanced to a cer- 

 tain, perhaps to a large, extent in other ways; nevertheless, 

 Europe has progressed at an unparalleled rate. 



The remarkable success of the English as colonists, compared 

 to other European nations, has been ascribed to their "daring 

 "and persistent energy;" a result which is well illustrated by com- 

 paring the progress of the Canadians of English and French ex- 

 traction; but who can say how the English gained their energy? 

 There is apparently much truth in the belief that the wonderful 

 progress of the United States, as well as the character of the peo- 

 ple, are the results of natural selection; for the more energetic, 

 restless, and courageous men from all parts of Europe have 

 emigrated during the last ten or twelve generations to that great 

 country, and have there succeeded best."" Looking to the dis- 

 tant future, I do not think that the Rev. Mr. Zincke takes an 

 exaggerated view when he says:''" "All other series of events — 

 "as that which resulted in the culture of mind in Greece, and 

 "that which resulted in the empire of Rome — only appear to 

 "have purpose and value when viewed in connection with, or 



"rather as subsidiary to the great stream of Anglo-Saxon emi- 



"gration to the west." Obscure as is the problem of the advance 

 of civilization, we can at least see that a nation which produced 

 during a lengthened period the greatest number of highly intel- 

 lectual, energetic, brave, patriotic, and benevolent men, would 

 generally prevail over less favored nations. 



Natural selection follows from the struggle for existence; and 

 this from a rapid rate of increase. It is impossible not to regret 

 bitterly, but whether wisely is another question, the rate at which 

 man tends to increase; for this leads in barbarous tribes to in- 



28 'Hereditary Genius,' 1870, pp. 357-359. The Rev. P, W. Farrar 'Eras- 

 er's Mag.,' Aug. 1870, p. 257, advances arguments on the other side. Sir 

 C. Lyell had already ('Principles of Geology,' vol. 11. 1868, p. 489) In a 

 striking passage called attention to the evil Influence of the Holy In- 

 quisition in having, through selection, lowered the general standard 

 of intelligence in Europe. 



2" Mr. Galton, 'Macmillan's Magazine,' August, 1865, p. 325. See, also 

 'Nature,' 'On Darwinism and National Life," Dec. 1869, p. 184. 



•" 'Last Winter In the United States,' 1868, p. 29. 



