Chap. XXI. 
AND CONCLUDING EEMAKKS. 
403 
and virtues. On the other hand he is strongly attracted 
by mere wealth or rank. Yet he might by selection 
do something not only for the bodily constitution and 
frame of his offspring, but for their intellectual and 
moral qualities. Both sexes ought to refrain from 
marriage if in any marked degree inferior in body or 
mind ; but such hopes are Utopian and will never be 
even partially realised until the laws of inheritance are 
thoroughly known. All do good service who aid towards 
this end. When the principles of breeding and of inhe- 
ritance are better understood, we shall not hear ignorant 
members of our legislature rejecting with scorn a plan 
for ascertaining by an easy method whether or not con- 
sanguineous marriages are injurious to man. 
The advancement of the welfare of mankind is a most 
intricate problem : all ought to refrain from marriage 
who cannot avoid abject poverty for their children ; for 
poverty is not only a great evil, but tends to its own 
increase by leading to recklessness in marriage. On the 
other hand, as Mr. Galton has remarked, if the prudent 
avoid marriage, whilst the reckless marry, the inferior 
members will tend to supplant the better members of 
society. Man, like every other animal, has no doubt ad- 
vanced to his present high condition through a struggle 
for existence consequent on his rapid multiplication; 
and if he is to advance still higher he must remain 
subject to a severe struggle. Otherwise he would soon 
■sink into indolence, and the more highly-gifted men 
would not be more successful in the battle of life than 
the less gifted. Hence our natural rate of increase, 
though leading to many and obvious evils, must not 
be greatly diminished by any means. There , should be 
open competition for all men ; and the most able should 
not be prevented by laws or customs from succeeding 
best and rearing the largest number of offspring. Im- 
2 D 2 
