THE LAW OF HEREDITY

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 303, 20 December 1913, Page 9

THE LAW OF HEREDITY

A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISCrSSIOX

"Did you ever think," asked Mr. Norris of his wife, "how little individuality there Is in a person? How little that one can lay one's flnger on and say: This is I. the true ego, tbe veritable Self." Indeed. I believe there is no such thing as an absolutely autonomous I. and that we arc but a composite aggregation of transmitted attributes."

"1 don't exactly follow you. but I am sure yoa are talking bosh," said Mrs. Norris, with a woman's swift contempt for matters beyond the reach of her intellect.

"Not at all, niy dear. I was ouly thlnklng in -what a slight degree each one of ns Is responsible for his actions. A person says: 'I do this of my volition,' but in reality he Is only meeting the irresistible force of a combination of hereditary traits working tv certain and inevitable results. I will give you an easy example. I suppose yon will admit that you can claim no more credit for your beanty. which you inherited from your mother, than for your money, which you inherit.*! from your father?"

"Oh. everyone knows that beauty Is an accident of birth," said Mrs. Norris. with proud humility.

"But where docs this accidcnt-of-blrth theory stop?"

"How about my singing? I have taken a great deal of paius with my voice—and neither of my parents was musical."

"Rut you must remember your great grandfather ran off with a French operasinger. We hear her voice again in you."

"But If I had not possessed the ambition and the w'll to improve my voice *'

"Yon simply couldn't help yourself, my dear. Your great-grandfather was notorious for his strength of will; he defied his family when he made his mesalliance. As for your ambition—it isn't yours at all. You are descended from Aaron Burr, the most ambitious man that ever walked on this continent. He Is to blame for tho slight obliquity which l sometimes regretfnlly observe in your moral vision." "Now see here, John Norris:" 'There you go: all fire in a moment: But I don't blame you. Your grandmother was a very high-spirited woman. You know the story n-bont her chasing you- grandfather with a fryingpan full of boiling lard." "■Well, of all the disagreeable men- " "Now. don't got off In one of your tantrums: yet I don't know that I can blame you if you do," said Mr. Norris. judicially. "I remember the family tradition about that remote ancestress of yours who was once ducked in the horse-pond for being a common 6c01d." "A common scold? Weil, of all th" insnlts! But T won't stand it! I will not stand it; do you hear! I will go to Reno to-morrow and stay there till I get a divorce:" •Tret a divorce, eh: I've no doubt yon will," said Mr. Norris. placidly remounting his hobby. '1 remember hearing my moth"r speak of the scandal your grpataunt Jane caused by separating from her | husband in '02."