74 AMAND ROUTH, M.D., F.R.C.P., ON MOTHERHOOD. 



Exod. xxii and Lev. xx. But I doubt if Polygamy was forbidden 

 to any except members of the Christian Church, who, by the Holy 

 Spirit given to them, have a power of restraint denied to others 

 in their natural fallen condition. 



As to marriage without motherhood, I can only say this, that 

 the penahzation of industry and thrift, through the cruel taxation 

 of the industrious, and the indiscriminate subsidizing of motherhood, 

 irregular as well as regular, can only lead to the increase of the 

 unfit, and the elimination of the fit. What inducement have the fit 

 to " reconsider their national obligations " under such circumstances ? 

 By its action the State has freed them from such obligations. 



Regarding the mortality of children — except in cases of over- 

 laying — I can only consider that, if it is due to their being below 

 the normal standard, it is a blessing in disguise. Think what it 

 must be for a man or woman, not up to the mark, to have to fight 

 the battle of life ; " damned into an evil world," as Carlyle truthfully 

 and forcibly expressed it. 



Regarding the adoption of children, a mian with an inherited 

 or an earned income has a moral right to its disposal ; but I must 

 confess that I consider it an injustice for an adopted child, legitimate 

 or not, to be made, ipso facto, the legal heir of inherited estate, to 

 the detriment of blood relations. 



The case of illegitimates in unquestionably hard ; it is partly 

 the result of our marriage laws inspired by an ignorant ecclesiasticism ; 

 but war is also hard, whose results fall alike on innocent and guilty ; 

 and I fear that indifierence in this matter, and the treatment of 

 legitimate and illegitimate as if no difference existed, would speedily 

 lead to a condonation of that want of self-control on woman's part 

 which Heathenism, Judaism, and Christianity have alike condemned. 



It seems to be one of those sad signs of the times concerning 

 which I have little earthly hope. 



Dr. Routh has rightly insisted on the need of inculcating general 

 self-control, the " temperance " of Scripture. The foundations of 

 this should be laid in the cradle and nursery. 



The vote of thanks to the Lecturer was carried by acclamation. 



Lieut. -Col. G. jMackixlay said : My pleasing duty now is to pro- 

 pose a vote of thanks to our learned and gifted Chairman. We are 

 indeed happy in having one so distinguished to preside on this 



