o
contracts which make the properties entirely separate, and according
to the local legislation in force, fulfill other of the above
propositions. For instance, in some countries, the wife can preserve
by contract the property and management of the house, etc.

In the second place, illegitimate children now bear the family name
of their mother; this is exactly what we desire. When concubinage is
not prosecuted and punished by law, a free marriage could be arranged
by private contract which would fulfill the above conditions. Some
persons, I admit, would require much courage to do this, for it is not
every one who can brave public opinion when he has a good reputation
to lose. Moreover, such unions would not enjoy the protection of the
State. By a little perseverance, however, the public might be induced
to call the woman "Mrs." instead of "Miss."

It is not impossible for unions of this kind between honorable persons
to become more frequent, and gradually compel society to recognize
free unions as the equivalent of traditional, or so-called legal,
marriage, to accord them the same rights and recognize the children
born of them. The conjoints could be named by combining both family
names; for example, if Miss Martin enters into a free union with Mr.
Durand, she might be called Mrs. Martin-Durand, and her husband Mr.
Durand-Martin.

=Conclusion.=--It may perhaps be thought that I am imagining the
existence of the purest ideal and the happiness of paradise in a world
in which the hereditary quality of men will be no better than it is
to-day. I hope that no reader who has followed me carefully will
regard me as so ingenuous. Then as now there will be intrigues and
disputes, hatred, envy, jealousy, idleness, impropriety, falsehood,
negligence, temper, etc., but their power will be less. There will be
less excuse for these bad qualities and those who possess them will be
regarded as pathological individuals who should be eliminated as much
as possible by means of proper selection, combined with good hygiene
and thorough education.

On the other hand, men of originality and high ideals will be able to
develop much more freely and naturally than at present. They will no
longer be the slaves of power, money, prejudice and routine. They will
not be obliged to conform to religious hypocrisy, but will be able to
speak and act according to their convictions. Marriage, and sexual
relations in general, will no longer be a perpetu