THE DESCENT OB ORIGIN OF MAN 191 



no doubt counterbalanced to a certain, perhaps to a large, 

 extent in other ways; nevertheless, Europe has progressed 

 at an unparalleled rate. 



The remarkable success of the English as colonists, com- 

 pared to other European nations, has been ascribed to their 

 "daring and persistent energy"; a result which is well illus- 

 trated by comparing the progress of the Canadians of En- 

 glish and French extraction; 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 people, 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 coun- 

 try, and have there succeeded best." Looking to the distant 

 future, I do not think that the Eev. Mr. Zincke takes an ex- 

 aggerated 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 emigration 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 intellectual, 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 infanticide and many other evils, and 

 in civilized nations to abject poverty, celibacy, and to the 

 late marriages of the prudent. But as man suffers from 



«» Mr. ' Galton, "Macmillan's Mag.," Aug. 1865, p. 325. See, also, 

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

 *> "Last Winter in the United States," 1868, p. 29. 



