me essential moral elements.

11. CHARACTER OF ILLEGITIMATES.--Wherein, then, consists this difference?
First, in "novelty lending an enchantment" rarely experienced in sated
wedlock, as well as in power of passion sufficient to break through all
restraint, external and internal; and hence their high wrought
organization. They are usually wary and on the alert, and their parents
drank "stolen waters." They are commonly wanting in moral balance, or else
delinquent in some important moral aspect; nor would they have ever been
born unless this had been the case, for the time being at least, with their
parents. Behold in these, and many other respects easily cited, how
striking the coincidence between their characters on the one hand, and, on
the other, those parental conditions necessarily attendant on their origin.

12. CHILDREN'S CONDITION depends upon parents' condition at the time of the
sexual embrace. Let parents recall, as nearly as may be their circumstances
and states of body and mind at this period, and place them by the side of
the physical and mental constitutions of their children, and then say
whether this law is not a great practical truth, and if so, its importance
is as the happiness and misery it is capable of affecting! The application
of this mighty engine of good or evil to mankind, to the promotion of human
advancement, is the great question which should profoundly interest all
parents.

13. THE VITAL PERIOD.--The physical condition of parents at the vital
period of transmission of life should be a perfect condition of health in
both body and mind, and a rigorous condition of all the animal organs and
functions.

14. MUSCULAR PREPARATION.--Especially should parents cultivate their
muscular system preparatory to the perfection of this function, and of
their children; because, to impart strength and stamina to offspring they
must of necessity both possess a good muscular organization, and also bring
it into vigorous requisition at this period. For this reason, if for no
other, let those of sedentary habits cultivate muscular energy preparatory
to this time of need.

15. THE SEED.--So exceedingly delicate are the seeds of life, that, unless
planted in a place of perfect security, they must all be destroyed, and our
race itself extinguished. And what place is as secure as that chosen, where
they can {226} be reached only with the utmost difficulty, and than only at
the peril of even life itself? Imper