116 THE TREND OF THE RACE 
never been produced from parents of subnormal mentality. A 
great man is more apt to arise if both parents are of very superior 
ability than if only one parent is not above mediocrity. Where 
the great man appears to stand far above the level of his imme- 
diate ancestors it is due in large part, I believe, to the fact that 
each parent supplied peculiar qualities lacking in the other, 
assisted also by qualities from more remote ancestors which may 
have conspired to furnish the necessary complement of hereditary 
factors. In addition there may be an element of somatic varia- 
bility of a favorable kind. With the same inheritance two stalks 
of corn may attain quite different height due to environmental 
factors that influence growth. Forces that affect the pre-natal 
or early post-natal life of the human being may influence his 
development for good or ill to a considerable degree. After all it 
may be a relatively small thing that gives the finishing touch to 
the making of a great man. Heredity affords the necessary 
foundation; but other things may aid or check subsequent devel- 
opment. One thing is certain and that is you cannot make great- 
ness out of mediocrity or good ability out of inborn dullness by 
all the aids which environment and education or anything else 
can possibly offer. 
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