WCP5719

[1] [p. 160]

Parkstone, Dorset.

June 5, 1901.

Dear Sir,

— I have no time to discuss your letter¹ at any length. You seem to assume that we can say definitely who are the "fit" and who the "unfit."

I deny this, except in the most extreme cases.

I believe that, even now, the race is mostly recruited by the more fit — that is the upper working classes and the lower middle classes.

Both the very rich and the very poor are probably — as classes — below these. The former increase less rapidly through immorality and late marriage; the latter through excessive infant mortality. If that is the case, no legislative interference is needed, and would probably do harm.

I see nothing in your letter which is really opposed to my contention — that under rational social conditions the[2] [p. 161] healthy instincts of men and women will solve the population problem far better than any tinkering interference either by law or by any other means.

And in the meantime the condition of things is not so bad as you suppose. —

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace.