New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-08
MARRIAGE.
A BOOK OUT OF PLACE.


THE EVOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND OF THE
FAMILY. BY Oh. Letourneau. 12mo pp 3'3.
Charles Scribncr's Sons
There are some subjects the scientific investigation
of which requires the accumulation OF kind Of evidence
by no means eligible popularzaton and in series
intended for general reading. such as the Contempt
rary Scientific Series" this fact ought 10 be constantly
before the mind of the editor Men of science are apt
to be taken up with the problems they are examm
ing that they pay little attention to considerations o
this kind. Whatever evidence appears TO them I'M
portant or significant, they record, without regard 70
any effect 1t may have outside OF and beyond the point
upon which il bears Professor Letourncau has IN the
volume before us. given somewhat startling example
Of this kind Of scientific mpudlcity. In his view what
is true and pertinent ought TO be tou III WI" pc
observed that this position perousY resembles a' VI
the socaled naturalisc school in fiction, ana we KNOW
what results Il has had there. Perhaps 1t was not
TO be expected that an enthusiast upon social etnoogy
should hold his hand through consideration for inc
general reader. but II certainly was 70 be expected
that a man OF letters like Mr.. Havelock Ellis "ou'u
pay some attention to this phase OF the subject Iha
he has not done so, that he has launched NJ Letour
mean with all his scientific naturallsm unmitigated IS
n matter for regret and the since the authors
science assumes rather peculiar, not to say offensive
aspect, apart from the nature OF his evidence
Whose believes in evolution and has fortified such
belief by some study Of the grounds whereon the theory
rests, Is aware that the beginnings Of humanity are
assumed TO have been humble; that anthropology
ply sioiogy, comparative anatomy, ETC., cohnrm tnls
view; and that the study Of tribes and classes OF
primitive folk still surviving strengthens II matery
II is also now generally accepted that social and po
ical institutions and customs originally crude ana
essmistlc: that early religions were largely, If not
altogether mythical; that natural phenomena and the
pIay of cosmic forces gave the first impulses 10
mans Imagination furnished his conceptions OF an I'M
seen world, and stirred in him vague notions OF
future existence In regard TO the evolution of mar
10 rOrDn
originally something approaching promlscuity pre-
vailed: that succeeding this stage came marriage by
capture that marriage by purchase followed that IN
particular countries peculiar conditions engendered
polyandry and polygamy; that with the growth OF
civilization the tendency toward mOnogamy increased,
and that this finally was the form Of union adopted
bv all the permanently progressive races. So much
nj least il is necessary know for right compre
hension of human development, and for an under
standing Of the influences which have so often retarded
or prevented the healthf growth of nations and races
But of what general utility is it to collect, in popular
book specific accounts of all the customs, practices
and institutions which have existed during. Che long
uphill tourney from savagery to the present semi
civilized conditions7
Let IL be admitted that between early men and the
beasts there was very little difference. Let us admit
that living proofs of this be adduced today Is
necessary to chronicle every indication of human
bestiaty and is science advanced by specific evidence
showing that ii took very long time to establish
marked superiority for men over the anthropod apes
There is indeed point OF view from which the
popularization of such knowledge may possibly be
defended 1t may with truth be affirmed that the
study of mans treatment of from the earliest
ages until very recently is emnently calculated TO
foster mans humility. For more Illuminating record
surely could not be imagined Glove rules the court
the camp the grove" sang the poet, but alas how
many ages passed before what we call love existed
I'm the human mind. The first thing that strikes rs
when we examine primitive society is the entire alb
sence of love and affection. There are savage tribes
now existing which have no word in their language
for the mighty emotion. How utterly this one fact
diferentiates them from what we call civilization
Yet long after had learned TO love he continued
20 maintain the savage View of womans Place in the
community. lie bought and he sold her
He regarded and treated her a chattA
Professor Letourneau, indeed, holds that the sent
ment of modesty was evolved during and by the rude
trials to which the victim sex was exposed. IL may
be So but the reasoning of the author does not strike
rs altogether logical or convincing.
Dare we say that all the elements have been
outgrown and discarded even nOw7 Assuredy not for
NJ Letourneau in his concluding pages furnishes some
ugly statistics which indicate that in country which
arrogates the title highest civilization eXant the
purchase OF women under TO matter what cohyehuoha
disguises) Is still an important appendage TO the mar
rage system. Marriage for money is OF course pur
chase, whatever euphemism be employed to conceal
The trn and Professor LeOurncau frankly asserts that
the practice on the increase in France But though
the Professor Is somewhat discouraged himself by this
exhibit he Is hopeful for the world at large. Marriage
and the family, he holds, will improve, and this, not
withstanding movement which suggests dsintegraton
rather than progress If we have not much liked orr
authors manner Of conducting his investigations in the
earlier stages of the inquiry like still less the an
tcipations which he holds forth deserving of con-
graduation. The present status Of marriage and the
family, he contends, cannot persist Already there are
lie Eiur apdfl 0 papd ncrp
divorce Is one of the significant symptoms. Yet
he thinks that in the coming marital union there will
be even greater facility Of divorce and to amend the
present shortcomings of the family he holds that the
State will take full charge of the rearing and education
of all children. This, Of course, is purely Socastc
view, and 10 minds of q somewhat practical turn 1t
must always be at the most repulsive and pre-
posterous view Socialism has fathered. Strange that
@ man of science who insists strongly upon mans
descent from the anthropoid apes upon the plea that
the lower his origin the glorious is his present
elevation should be able seriously 10 contemplate a
return experiments which tried and which failed
signay thousands of years agOl Strange that one
who clearly perceives how immense has been the part
Of Indvidualism in the growth and progress of the
race should believe it possible to reform existing evils
by clear reverson to OF the worst types of Col
lectiyism history affords. But such contradictions
sometimes befall even Of science when they leave
the solid ground Of demonstrated fact and venture
themselves upon the dangerous Quagmire of specua-
ton. The use of the scientific Imagination has been
discussed brilliantly by Professor Huxley, but he did
not perhaps sufficiently emphasize the danger Of the
practice Moreover nothing in his task required that
Professor LetOurneaU should dip into the future II
was the past with which he had 70 deal with which
he has dealt. are compelled TO say sometimes with
On imprudent and embarrassing candOr. There can be
10 question TO the interest Of his book but there
may be serious question 10 the pfoprety Of its ap