The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-06-08
Hereditary and Educational Cir
VUunHlnuCpR

In Appleton's popular science library
We have a curious and interesting at
tempt to analyze the natural history OF
the English men Of science now living,
particularly with reference to their her
editary and educational circumstances. 1t
is entitled English Men Of Science
Their Nature and Nurture" by Francis
Gallon. It is in tho line OF the Spencer
ian philosophy, and was suggested by the
recent French work Of AlphOnse de Can
dole, in which he sketches the salient
characteristics and events belonging to
some 200 scientific men OF the past two
centuries, with philosophical differences
therefrom. Mr., Gallons data are auto
biographical replies to long and minute
series Of printed questions, addressed to
some $50 leading men OF science, who
were so courteous and painstaking as to
furnish him with two large portfolios Of
statements Tor statistical treatment. The
design is to group, under Nature and
Nurture" the various elements Of person.
ality what man brings with him into
the world through hereditary, and whatey-
er influences his development from with
out, after his birth-and so to show how
the effects of education and circumstances
conspirc with hereditary influences in
shaping ones mental character and pc.
sitiOn. The questions about hereditary
antccedents and pccuiarities are search
ing and extensive, while those relating to
natural or Constitutional history and odu-
cational are about Us much 50. After
inQuiring for the periods Of time spent at
schools, small, large, or universities, chief
studies, any hOnOrs Of importance gained,
etc, the Querist desires to know; "TO
what extent were you educated elsewhere,
taught ut home, or sclf.taught" Has
the religion taught in your youth had any
deterrent effect OH tho freedom OF your
researches" Can you trace the origin
Of your interest in science and in your
particular branch OF itY The last quCs-
ton has reference to " climate scientific
tastes" as distinguished from determn-
ing events or circumstances. OF course
tho data themselves. as quoted directly
from the photographed replics,-for
the most part, however, anonymous
interesting, as eminent men are left to
toll their own tale OF comparative failure
or success, and to make their own com.
mcnts. The marked idiosynCrasics Of
his eminent subjects puzzle Mr.. Gallons
scientific conclusions considerably, and
yet in relation to questions Of physique,
transmitted hereditary qualities, false and
true educational methods and some
other matters, hO constructs valuable
conclusions. In the matter OF religious
bias" he is decidedly disappointed in hi.
unticpatiOnS. AS regards the effect OF
dognatic teaching OF creed or research"
he says: 81 had expected 1t to have been
much more deterrent and hindering than
the answers warrant. :. Nevertheless,
in answer to my direct inquiry, Has the
religious creed taught in your youth had
deterrent effect on the freedom Of your
rcscarches| Nm met with M Ovcrpow.
cring majority Of negatives" At the
same time the great majority prOfrssed II
religious or "crccd" bias, while the doubt
remains whether it would survive the
cruciblc Of the current evangelical v
ingia