" SEX AND CIVILIZATION "
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—My publishers (Messrs. Kegan Paul) have called my attention to a short review of my book, Sea? and Civilization, which appeared in the Spectator on the 31st ult.
In this notice you conclude by stating that you think it unfortunate that he has not spent more time upon explain- ing what in fact are the necessary differences between male and female." I think it may be worth while mentioning to you the reasons for this.
In the first place, I have been unable to discover any " necessary differences " except those of purely anatomical and physiological nature between male and female and, therefore, naturally I could not state them.
In the second place, if such differences exist they are at present so overwhelmed by various artificial differences that it is impossible to unearth them. Indeed, Dr. Beatrice Hinkle, in an excellent article on this subject some two years ago, pointed out that we could not hope to discover what were the real differences between the sexes, if any existed, until the present artificial differences had been for the most part eliminated and until the education and environment of children of both sexes had been so completely placed on the same basis as to render any such slight differences visible.
I trust this explains the omission in my book.—I , am,
Sir, &c., PAUL BOUSFIELD. 7 Harley Street, London, W. 1.
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