288 EUGENICS 
some have greatness thrust upon them. But those 
who are born great—meaning by this not those in 
high position, but great in themselves—are the men 
and women to whose descendants we must look for 
the future greatness of mankind. 
If this view be justified, we shall be obliged to revise 
very carefully our ideas of what is desirable in social 
legislation. Important as education, sanitation, and 
the like may be, their effects are strictly limited. 
The relative birth-rate of good and bad stock, on the 
other hand, is the fundamental factor. Its influence 
in a single generation may be so small as to be barely 
recognizable, but its effect increases from generation 
to generation, and, moreover, it is an effect which, once 
produced, is quite irrevocable. We have to consider, 
therefore, how the relative incidence of the birth-rate 
falls at the present time, and what are the causes 
which affect it. We have to consider especially 
whether existing and proposed legislation of which the 
intention is to improve the education and condition 
of upbringing of children has any effect, direct or in- 
direct, upon the relative birth-rate of different classes 
of society. For if such legislation be found to favour 
the rapid reproduction of the less-efficient, it will 
become a matter for serious consideration whether the 
advantages of mental and physical improvement in the 
individual are not being purchased too dearly at the 
expense of posterity. 
Individuals, as well as Governments, will do well 
to look closely into the possible results of the best- 
intentioned proceedings. To quote Galton once more: 
