In the meeting of the Social Science Congress on Thurs-
-day, Dr. T. Clifford Allbutt, senior physician of the Leeds Infirmary, made a furious assault on competitive examina- tion. He believes that the children of much examined men show traces of nervous disease, and that if mothers -are educated in the same way, the result will be de- generacy of race. We are by no means devotees of competi- tive examination, holding that if men were honest, patronage and pass examinations would be better ; but is not this state- ment an exaggeration? Is it really true that the children of high wranglers and " double-firsts " are ricketty, under-sized, or nervous P The facts can readily be ascertained, and meanwhile, is it foolish to take comfort from one well-known instance ? Lord Harlington is the son of the Duke of Devonshire, a man who received a double-first, and who could, past all question, have won an Indian Civil-Service commission. Does he look -one whit weaker than the son of any peasant or trooper? And will Dr. Allbutt just tell us why, if physical injuries are not inherited, which is certain, mental injuries should be P The examinee may be hurt, and we are certain often is, but his -children are not. If mental culture destroys physique, it is a bad look-out for the world ; but is there a group of peasants who, apart from effects of years, could thrash the present 'Cabinet ?
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