422 HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 



The mistake has been not in nullifying natural 

 selection by preserving the weak and incompe- 

 tent, for civilized men could not well do other- 

 wise, but in failing to substitute intelligent 

 artificial selection for natural selection in the 

 propagation of the race. Instead of this there 

 has been perpetuation of the worst lines 

 through sentimental regard for personal 

 rights, even when opposed to the welfare of 

 society ; and both church and state have cheer- 

 fully given consent and blessing to the mar- 

 riage and propagation of idiots and of diseased, 

 defective, insane and vicious persons. Fi- 

 nally there has been extinction of the world's 

 most gifted lines by enforced celibacy in many 

 religious orders and societies of scholars; by 

 almost continuous wars which have taken the 

 very best blood that was left outside of the 

 monastic orders; by luxury and voluntary 

 sterility; by vice, disease and consequent 

 infertility. 



Is it any wonder that the inheritance of the 

 human race has not improved within historic 

 times? Is it not rather an evidence of the 

 broadcast distribution of good and wholesome 



