of life, and somehow or other, contributes
parentally to the formation of the constitutional character of their
joint product, appears far more reasonable, than to ascribe, as many
do, the whole to either some to paternity, others to maternity. Still
this decision go which way it may, does not affect the great fact that
children inherit both the physiology and the mentality existing in
parents at the time they received being and constitution.

10. ILLEGITIMATES OR BASTARDS also furnish strong proof of the
correctness of this our leading doctrine. They are generally lively,
sprightly, witty, frolicksome, knowing, quiet of perception, apt to
learn, full of passion, quick-tempered, impulsive throughout, hasty,
indiscreet, given to excesses, yet abound in good feeling, and are
well calculated to enjoy life, though in general sadly deficient in
some 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 vigo