256 



The Ideal State 



secure the accumulated culture of the ages as a con- 

 stant environment. Were it so, we would soon see 

 universally that atmosphere of " gentle breeding," 

 which a constant environment of culture has made 

 possible to people of wealth, and leisure, and refinement, 

 and which has thrown a charm and a glamour over 

 many of the privileged members of our aristocracy. 

 One cannot help recalling Tennyson's lines : 



" Howe'er it be, 

 It seems to me 

 'Tis only noble to be good ; 

 Kind hearts are more than coronets, 

 And simple faith than Norman blood." 



This beautiful and pregnant truth has been quoted 

 repeatedly as a pious opinion, but never believed or 

 acted upon. To deal with it from the scientific stand- 

 point, Norman blood is no doubt the possession of 

 many who are poor and needy, but in their case it is 

 unrecognised ; it is devoid of merit and unworthy of 

 acknowledgment. Further, the inbreeding required to 

 preserve the pure strain of Norman blood results in 

 degeneracy : this is not only the rule in man, but in all 

 species of the vertebrates. New blood is constantly 

 required to keep the breed strong and healthy. 



In regard to this matter we have an amusing illus- 

 tration of the illogicality of human nature. The people 

 who believe most in their ancestry as a rule belong to 

 the orthodox religion, and profess an entire faith in our 

 common descent from Adam and Eve. That being so, 

 it follows that every member of the "genus homo 

 sapiens " can claim equal lineage and long descent with 

 any other. In fact, every one of the toiling millions can 

 claim to belong to as " old family " as that of the most 

 aristocratic peer. Moreover, any particular strain of 

 Norman or Celtic or any other is very soon swamped 

 by the potent influence of marriage. The result is the 



