106 Heredity and Environment 



look upon the case of Tasmania as one of the most 

 hopeful and animating barriers to oppose to that kind 

 of quasi-scientific pessimism which tends to look upon 

 all criminal and insane tendencies as an ineradicable 

 taint, and thus to circumscribe the actions of free-will 

 in the individual, and discourage reformatory and 

 punitive measures alike on the part of the State." 



From the scientific standpoint it is impossible to 

 secure a more positive demonstration of the non- 

 heredity of crime and of the benefit of a new environ- 

 ment. This one instance alone would show that our 

 ancestors were not lacking in wisdom in dealing with 

 criminals by the method of transportation. Not only 

 was it wise in regard to the criminal and his de- 

 scendants, but it resulted in no evil of a direct or con- 

 taminating kind to the people among whom they were 

 sent. An observed phenomenon of this kind ought to 

 make the Eugenists pause. " Facts are chiels that 

 wanna ding," and it ought to be realised that what 

 is wanted for the higher evolution of the race is not 

 breeding from a select few — of individuals or classes 

 — but a better environment for the people as a whole. 

 Degenerative tendencies of all kinds will soon be elimi- 

 nated by this means alone, and the "quasi-scientific 

 pessimism " of the Eugenists will be heard no more. 

 It is indeed cause for joy that such an authority can be 

 called to our aid in annihilating the prevalent idea that 

 " all criminal and insane tendencies are to be looked 

 upon as ineradicable taints and thus circumscribe the 

 actions of free-will in the individual." 



Mr. Owen Seaman has emphasised this idea in his 

 beautiful poem on the late Dr. Barnado : 



" Naked, he clothed them ; hungry, gave them food ; 

 Homeless and sick, a hearth and healing care ; 

 Led them from haunts where vice and squalor brood 

 To gardens clean and fair. 



