Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/305

 NOTES AND ABSTRACTS 289

sentiments between the sexes, and by at least official or public chastity. I believe I am so far in agreement with Westermarck's views on the question. Christianity was very ascetic, as is attested by Paul's expressions in the epistle to the Cor- inthians. By these ascetic tendencies Christian morals were opposed to polygamy. This tendency was enforced by the Christian ebionistic sympathies, by which all the fathers of the church were governed. Asceticism and social equality can both make for monogamy. Monogamy is certainly in accordance with one very mighty human instinct, that of jealousy ; therefore it is the only democratic form of marriage. And I think it is the only one in harmony with the higher sentiments between the sexes, and with a right moral relation between offspring and parents.

But, in considering it, we should never forget that it is largely traversed by irregular love, whether this be sentimental or more sensual, and also by very general prostitution in all ages and classes.

So we must be very cautious in deducing from the fact of monogamy any conclusions as to new and rational marriage regulations, desirable as they may be.

Generally, the term " endogamy " is employed in a narrower sense than the prohibition of Greeks to marry barbarian women (concubinage with them was allowed, so the restriction was not severe).

I do not consider that Mr. Gallon's view of the causes and conditions of endogamy and exogamy is in strict accordance with the results of " anthropology " (the continental term is " ethnology ") ; Mr. Gallon thinks exogamy is usually lo be found in " small and barbarous communilies ; " bul combined wilh ihe marriage reslriclions by blood-lies, and ihe very general horror of incest, which are only its expression, exogamy is by far the commonest rule of the Chinese ; and ihe Hindus are exogamous in ihe slricl sense, and in Ihe olher sense all civilized nalions are exogamous, marriage between close kindred being prohibited (Post, Grundriss der ethnischen Jurisprudenz, 1897, pp. 37-42).

The possibility of the complicated Australian marriage system, of which we know nol yel ihe real molives and causes, does nol al all warrant the conclusion thai " wilh equal propriely " it might be applied " to the furtherance of some form of eugenics " among ihe Auslralians or among us. The conclusion from Ihe Auslralians lo us slands in need of demonslralion ; il cannol be assumed. Is it certain lhal molives of ihe same slrenglh as ihose unknown may be found?

The motives for the horror of incest we do not yet know quite certainly. Perhaps they are the result of very deep-seated and fundamental causes, which suggest the gravest caulion in poslulating their analogies.

As yet we are even incapable of restraining the very deplorable neo-Malthusian tendencies in the higher classes and some others in all civilized nations, nor ihose very generally and slrongly operaling in ihe eastern United Stales, in France, in English Australia. We are powerless against ihe dangers in ibis direction wilh which we are Ihrealened by ihe widely spread feminislic movemenl.

The race-love of civilized men and women is regrelfully feeble. The real problem is firsl lo enforce il. At present Ihe care for future man, the love and respect of ihe race, are quile beyond ihe pale of Ihe morals of even ihe besl.

The nobilily of old, yea, ihe palriarchial family generally, enlerlained a real love and care for Ihe qualilies of iheir offspring. So, perhaps, Ihe lurn for ihis feeling may come again. The inlensification of economic and social life will raise the demands on everybody's mental and bodily capabilities ; the betler knowledge of the heredilary qualities and iheir signification in attaining the highest degree of capacily will perhaps, and I ihink should, in some degree inevilably waken Ihe care for ihe qualities of one's own offspring.

I put much more hope on this resullanl of intensified social demands, of increase and spreading of pathological knowledge, and of evermore enlightened egoism, than on public morals embracing the future of the race. Improved care for one's own offspring according lo science may possibly come. The resull will be a change in our ideas, morals, and moralily.

The nexl measures that then could be taken by ihe legislalor seem to be that