been given to what has been termed negative eugenics or the prevention of the reproduction of the undesirable classes and physical and mental defectives, as discussed above. So far as the control of matings among persons of superior and medium ability, no methods other than persuasion seem to be applicable under our social monogamic system. Education thus becomes the mainspring of constructive eugenics. Only by educating the individual in the laws of heredity so that he may have a clear understanding of the action of these laws, can we hope to make progress. The control of breeding among the higher and most able classes in general, means but little other than to avoid or eliminate defects. If we could so control reproduction that only superior mated with superior, there would be formed class distinctions based on real rather than fictitious differences and the creation of such classes differing in ability would probably not lead to increased happiness and contentment, or to any average increase of intelligence on the part of the population as a whole. True, we want more individuals of very superior ability to advance the world's knowledge, but it is of far greater importance to increase the average ability of the masses and render our population as a whole self-supporting and more capable of enjoying the benefits of civilisation.

To do this means (1) stopping the production of degenerate classes of all types; (2) recognising undesirable traits and educating the people to avoid matings with people possessing such traits; (3) discouraging the rapid reproduction of the lower classes and (4) encouraging through every possible means the reproduction of the better classes of fit matings.

It seems clear that any aid given indiscriminately to mothers of large families, as has been suggested, would only serve to increase the size of families among the shiftless lower types. Premiums for parenthood should be given not as charity but as a reward for the production of able offspring of good heritage. Too large a number of the best people do not marry until late in life and this is a serious limiting factor on the size of families of many of the most fit matings.

One of the most important needs is some new standard or method of judging ability early in the life of the individual so that reward would come earlier. If this could be accomplished proper means would be furnished for the support of a family and prevent much of our now too common celibacy in early life. As a corollary to this a more careful study of children is demanded that we may so provide for their education and nurture as to prevent degeneracy in the inherently able.

As an aid to the development of the human race the writer would urge the great importance of establishing an adequate system of human registration similar to that used in the registration of pure bred stock. At least all of the good eugenic classes could be led to seek registration in such a register.

Such a human registration would serve many useful functions. First and primarily it would stimulate pride in family and the desire on the part of any individual whose ancestors were in the Register to measure up to or surpass that standard. I believe that family pride is the most potent influence in restraining the individual from error and in stimulating him to greater effort. True it is, that occasionally such pride becomes snob

bishness but fortunately this is not common and the individual would derive little comfort from his own registration unless his record measured well up to that of his ancestors.

Such a register would include only good and superior individuals, as mediocre or poor grade individuals would never seek to be included in such a pedigree record.

Once started I believe such a registration would be sought by all of the best individuals of society and soon it would come to be almost universal among good families having pride or confidence in their ancestry. Soon, if one is not registered or his family is not registered, the question would arise, why are they not registered? In this way I believe all individuals and families that have not very serious defects in their pedigrees would be led to register and thus the object would be accomplished as we could then be certain that unregistered families could not be considered good constructive eugenic material. Such a register would have great value, doubtless, as a guide to marriage. Suppose a father notices a growing intimacy between his daughter and a young man of apparently good character but of unknown ancestry. The registration number of the young man's father or mother could be obtained and from this, for a small fee, the girl's father could secure a brief outlining of the young man's family history. If this history were bad doubtless it would serve to check any growing intimacy between the two and would save the family much trouble and worry.

For a certain fee we obtain a certificate of title for any piece or tract of land in the country, showing all

transfers and history of the various transactions. Why is it not feasible then, to obtain certified pedigrees of men? The value of such records in furnishing data for scientific studies cannot be over-estimated and in legal and other ways, they would be of great service.

In closing this lecture I desire to impress upon you the importance of studying the subject of eugenics. The science is still in the formative stage and while naturally much difference of opinion exists, nevertheless, very much information of the greatest value has been secured. Study the subject carefully and sympa thetically, with the aid of the best available literature. Give at least some of your time and your encouragement to the development of an improved and better humanity. Dr. Saleeby, one of England's most famous eugenists, has declared, “I am of nothing more certain than that the choice for Great Britain to-day is between national eugenics or the fate of all her imperial predecessors from Babylon to Spain." What is true of Great Britain is doubtless equally true of our beloved Republic. Decadence and disruption will follow unless the present degenerating tendencies can be checked. I have full confidence, however, in the nation's ability to overcome these difficulties. We lead the world in practical knowledge. The necessary knowledge to avoid degeneration is certain to be obtained and out of and from this knowledge will arise a purer, a stronger and a more able population.

VII

THE FIRST LAW OF CHARACTER-MAKING

ARTHUR HOLMES

PART I

THE Greeks were the last nation interested in themselves. For ages people have been too busy doing things to stop and consider the subject and object of their ceaseless activity. But to-day we are taking breath and beginning to pay attention to ourselves. Biology, psychology, sociology, and the human sciences generally, are coming to large places of importance. The human individual is being studied as if he were worth something in himself. His happiness is seen to spring from what he is, not what he owns.

The child especially is assuming his place as the end. and purpose of all social arrangements and not as a painful incident in human growth. He is put where nature puts him as all-important. His care comes first. He must be well-born though women leave their looms and factories stand idle. His health must be preserved though business be revolutionised and the world be sterilised. He must be improved though city blocks are razed and playgrounds take the place of court houses. He is recognised as the greatest single asset of the nation.

Almost the latest movement in his favour is the organisation of a Eugenics Society. Eugenics itself lays claim to the dignity of a science. "Eugenics "