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Hereditary Genius
35
from that of its neighbours by equal grades, then the numbers in each of
those classes will, on the average of many millions, be as is stated in the
table. The table may be applied to special, just as truly as to general ability.
It would be true for every examination that brought out natural gifts,
whether held in painting, in music, or in statesmanship. The proportions
between the different classes would be identical in all these cases, although
the classes would be made up of different individuals, according as the
examination differed in its purport.
It will be seen that more than half of each million is contained in the two
mediocre classes a and A; the four mediocre classes a, b, A, B, contain
more than four-fifths, and the six mediocre classes more than nineteen-
twentieths of the entire population. Thus, the rarity of commanding ability,
and the vast abundance of mediocrity, is no accident, but follows of
necessity, from the very nature of these things.
The meaning of the word “mediocrity” admits of little doubt. It defines the
standard of intellectual power found in most provincial gatherings, because
the attractions of a more stirring life in the metropolis and elsewhere, are
apt to draw away the abler classes of men, and the silly and the imbecile do
not take a part in the gatherings. Hence, the residuum that forms the bulk of
the general society of small provincial places, is commonly very pure in its
mediocrity.
The class C possesses abilities a trifle higher than those commonly
possessed by the foreman of an ordinary jury. D includes the mass of men
who obtain the ordinary prizes of life. E is a stage higher. Then we reach F,
the lowest of those yet superior classes of intellect, with which this volume
is chiefly concerned.
On descending the scale, we find by the time we have reached f, that we
are already among the idiots and im-
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