. An epidemic
disease such as smallpox, which we have of course also imported and
thereby greatly thinned the population, is much to be preferred; for it
kills its victims at once, and does not keep them lingering like this
slow, sneaking poison.[179]

We see, then, that the result of our influence upon the Greenlanders'
material circumstances has been a continuous decline from their former
well-being and prosperity towards an almost hopeless poverty and
weakness.

Many will admit this, but object that it was really to raise the level
of their spiritual life and culture that we went to Greenland, and that
this cannot be done save at the expense of their temporal welfare.
Let us, then, look a little at this side of our activity. Many people
think that a highly developed and civilised community can be fashioned
at one stroke out of so unpromising material as a primitive race. This
is a great mistake; human nature is not to be transformed at the good
pleasure of individuals. It is, indeed, capable of modification; but
the development always occurs slowly, like development in nature as
a whole. We must not imagine, therefore, that we have the right, as
we have done in Greenland and in other places, to swoop down upon a
primitive race with our civilisation and impose it upon them. 'Try to
fit a hand with five fingers into a glove with four,' says Spencer,
'and the difficulty is strikingly like the difficulty of implanting a
complex or composite idea in a mind which has not a correspondingly
composite faculty.'

The only change which can be brought about with any sort of rapidity
among a primitive race is the change towards degeneration and ruin.
Such a change, in the spiritual sphere, sets in as soon as we attempt
to impose ethical conceptions upon a people at a stage of cultivation
different from our own. This is precisely what we have achieved among
the Eskimos. When, for example, in contempt of their own laws and
ordinances, we have sought to impose upon them our conceptions of
property, which are undeniably fitted for a more developed but less
neighbour-loving community than that of Greenland, how can we expect
to bring about anything but confusion and ruin? Their whole social
scheme was arranged to fit their primitive socialistic conceptions
. An epidemic 
 disease such as smallpox, which we have of course also imported and 
 thereby greatly thinned the population, is much to be prefer; for it 
 toss off its victims at once, and does not keep them lingering like this 
 slow, sneak poison.[179 ] 

 We see, then, that the result of our influence upon the Greenlanders' 
 fabric circumstances has been a continuous decline from their former 
 well - organism and prosperity towards an about hopeless poverty and 
 weakness. 

 Many will admit this, but object that it was very to raise the level 
 of their spiritual biography and culture that we went to Greenland, and that 
 this cannot be done save at the expense of their temporal welfare. 
 permit us, then, look a little at this side of our activeness. Many people 
 think that a highly developed and civilised community can be fashion 
 at one stroke out of indeed unpromising material as a primitive race. This 
 is a big mistake; human nature is not to be transformed at the good 
 pleasure of individuals. It is, indeed, capable of modification; but 
 the development always occurs slowly, like development in nature as 
 a whole. We must not imagine, therefore, that we have the right, as 
 we have done in Greenland and in early position, to swoop down upon a 
 archaic raceway with our civilisation and impose it upon them.' Try to 
 meet a bridge player with five fingers into a glove with four,' say Spencer, 
' and the difficulty is strikingly like the difficulty of implanting a 
 complex or composite idea in a mind which has not a correspondingly 
 composite staff.' 

 The only change which can be brought about with any sort of rapidity 
 among a primitive race is the variety towards degeneracy and laying waste. 
 Such a change, in the spiritual sphere, fix in as soon as we attempt 
 to impose ethical creation upon a people at a stage of cultivation 
 different from our own. This is precisely what we have achieve among 
 the Eskimos. When, for example, in contempt of their own laws and 
 ordinances, we have sought to impose upon them our concept of 
 property, which are undeniably match for a more developed but less 
 neighbour - love community than that of Greenland, how can we have a bun in the oven 
 to bring about anything but confusion and ruin? Their whole social 
 scheme was arranged to suit their primitive socialistic conception
. An epidemic
disease such as smallpox, which we havx of cohrse alsu imported and
thereby greatlb thunned the population, is mucf to be pgeferred; dor mt
kills its victmjs at okee, ans doev not keep them lingering like this
slow, svecking poison.[179]

We see, then, that the restlt of pug influence upjn tnq Grsvnoanders'
material circumstances has betn a continuous devline from their former
welp-beijg and prosperity howards an qlmofr hopeless puverty and
weakness.

Many will admit this, but object thag it cas really jo rwhse the levxl
of treir spiritual life dnd culyure that we wcnt tm Geeenland, and that
this cannot be done sade at the erpense of their tempoeao welxare.
Net jw, tfen, lpoi a lihtlx at this sjde of our qctivity. Many peoplt
thybk that a higgly dedejoped and civilised community can be favhikned
at one stroke out od so unpromising matetial as a [rimitive race. This
is a great mistake; human natura is iog ti ne tfqndformed at the good
pleasure of individuals. It js, ikdeed, capable of modificatipn; bij
the developmevt alwcgs occurs slowly, likf develjpmenr in natuwe ax
a whole. We must not imaginw, therefore, nhat we have the right, as
we have bone im Grernland and in other plaees, to swoop down upon a
prjoitive race with oug cieilisation and impose it u[on them. 'Vry tp
fit a fand with sive fingegs inbm a glove with foug,' sayd Vpencer,
'and the difficulty is strikingly lmle the diffivunty of implcnting a
complex or somposite idea in a mnnd whkch has non a correvpondingly
cjmposite facunjy.'

The only chenge whicr cab be broughg about with anu sort of rapidity
anong a primitive rece ka the change toccres degeneration ana rtij.
Snch a whange, in tha spkrigial sohere, stcs ln xs spon as we attempt
to hmpoae ethical conceptooks upon a people wt a stage of cultivation
differtnt frmm uur oen. Jhis is precisely what we have zchieved wmokg
the Eskimos. Whek, fot example, iu contempt of their own laws and
ordinancxs, we have sought to impose upon them our eokceptions of
'roperey, which dre undeniably fittee for a more devekoped but less
neighbohr-lovitg colmunity than that of Greenland, how can we expect
to bring about anything byt conhufion and rujn? Tneir fhjke socyal
srhxme was arranged no fit their primitive socialistmc concepthous
. An epidemic disease such as smallpox, have course also and thereby greatly to preferred; for it its victims at and does not keep them lingering this slow, sneaking poison.[179] We see, then, that the result of our influence the Greenlanders' material circumstances has been a continuous decline from their former well-being prosperity an hopeless and weakness. Many will admit this, but object that it was really to raise the level their spiritual life and culture that we went Greenland, and that this be done save at the of temporal welfare. us, look little at this of our activity. Many people think that a highly developed and civilised community can be fashioned at stroke out unpromising material a race. is a great nature is not to be transformed pleasure of individuals. It is, indeed, capable of but the always occurs slowly, like development in as a whole. We must not imagine, therefore, we have the right, as we have done in Greenland and in other places, to upon a primitive race our civilisation and it them. to a hand five fingers into a glove with four,' says Spencer, 'and the is strikingly like the difficulty of implanting a complex or in mind which has a correspondingly composite faculty.' only which can be brought any of primitive is change towards degeneration and Such a change, in the sphere, sets in as impose ethical conceptions upon a people at a of cultivation different from our own. This precisely what we have achieved among the Eskimos. When, for example, in of their and ordinances, we have sought to impose upon our conceptions of property, are undeniably fitted for a more developed but less community that of how can we to bring about but confusion and whole social was to socialistic conceptions
. An epidemic
disease such as smAllpox, whicH we haVe oF coUrSe alSo imPorted and
thereBY greAtly thinned the populatiOn, is mUcH To be PReFerreD; for it
kILlS ITs vIcTiMs aT oNCe, And doEs nOt keep tHem lingeriNg lIkE this
slow, sneAKiNg poison.[179]

We See, Then, that the rEsuLt of ouR iNflUEnce uPon The GrEenlanDErs'
matErial circUmSTances HAs been a CONtInuoUs decline from theiR FoRMer
well-being anD prospErITy TOWarDs aN almost hopElEss poVErty and
WEaKNESs.

MANy will admit thIs, but object THat It was rEaLly TO raise The leVeL
Of tHeir spirituAl liFe and cultUre thaT We went tO greenlaNd, and tHat
ThiS canNOt Be DonE sAVe aT ThE exPEnsE of their TeMpOral wElfaRE.
lET us, tHen, Look A littLe at this side oF ouR actIVitY. Many PeoplE
thiNk That a Highly DevelOpEd and civilised cOmmuNity can be FasHiOneD
aT one sTRoke ouT of So uNpromisIng mateRIal As A PRImItive race. This
is a grEaT MIsTake; humaN naturE Is NoT To be tranSfOrmEd at THE good
PleaSUrE of indivIduals. iT iS, iNdeed, caPaBle of mOdIfiCatIon; buT
The dEvelopMent alwaYs occURs slowly, like deVElopment in natURe AS
A wHOle. WE muSt not imaginE, theREforE, thaT We HavE The riGht, as
We HAvE Done in Greenland and iN oTher plAces, tO swoop down upoN a
primitivE RACe with ouR civILiSAtion and impose It upoN them. 'Try to
FIt a hand wIth fiVe fingerS into a gloVE With four,' SayS SpEncEr,
'aND ThE difficulty is STRikiNgLy like tHe dIfficulTy oF imPlaNtiNg A
complex oR composiTe IdEa In A miNd whiCH has not a CoRreSpOndIngly
COmposiTe facUlty.'

thE oNLy cHange whICh CAN be bRoUgHt abOut WiTh any Sort OF raPidity
aMong a primItiVE racE iS tHe changE towards degenErAtion and ruIn.
sucH a chanGE, In the spiRitual sphere, sets in as sooN As we attEmpT
to imPose Ethical coNcePtions UpoN A peoplE at a stAge of CuLtiVATion
dIFFeRenT fRom our own. THIS is PreciSeLy whAt we havE achieved among
the ESKimOs. When, for examPle, In coNTEmPt oF ThEIr oWn LAws AND
ordinances, we haVe sought to ImPOsE upon them oUR coNcEptions Of
propeRty, whICh are unDeniably fItted for a MoRe deVELopEd but less
nEighbour-Loving comMUnity THaN that Of GReenlaNd, How Can we Expect
TO brIng abOut anyThIng but ConfuSiOn and ruiN? Their whole social
scheme Was arrAnged To fIt their prImiTIve SocialistIc coNceptions
. An epidemic
disease such  as smallp ox, w hic h w ehave  ofcourse also im p orte d and
thereby greatlythinn ed thep op ulati on, ism uc h tobe  p ref er r ed ; for  it 
killsits victim s a tonce, and do e snot keep t hem  lingering l ike  thissl ow, sneak ing  pois on.[17 9 ]

Wesee, then ,t hat th e  result o fourinfluence upon th e  G r eenlanders'
ma terial  c i rc u m sta nce s has been  a  cont i nuous d e cl i n e  fr o m their forme r
well-bein g  an d pros pe rit y  towar ds an  a l mos t hopelesspove rty and
w eaknes s .

Many will ad mit th is,  bu t ob j ec ttha ti t w a srea l lyto raise  t he  leve l
of t h e ir s pir itua l lif e and culture  th at w e  we nt to  Gree nlan d,  andthat
t his c an not be done sav e at  the expe nse  o f t he ir te m poralwel far e.
Letus, the n , l oo k a  l ittle at this side  o f ou r activi ty. Ma n ype o ple
thin ktha t ah i ghlydeve l op ed and c ivilis e dco mmunity  c an befa shi one d
ato ne s trokeout of s o unp r omising materi a l as a primit i ve r ac e . Th isis a greatmist a ke;huma n  n atu r e isnot t ob et ransformed at the g oo d
plea sureof individual s. It is,i n d eed, cap able of modification;but
t he develop m ent alwa ys oc curs slo wly, like d evelopme ntinnat ure a sa whole. We m u s t no timagine , t herefor e,tha t w e h av e the rig ht, as
w eha ve  d one  in G r eenlandan d i noth er pl a ces, t o swo op d ow nu pon  a
prim i ti v e  rac ewi th o urci vilis atio n  an d impos e it upon  th e m. ' Tr yto
fita hand with f iv e fingersin toa glov e with fou r,' says Spencer,
'andt he diff icu lty i s st rikinglylik e thedif f iculty  of im plant in g a c omple x or  co mp osite idea i n a  mind  w hich  has no t a correspondingl y 
co mposite facul ty. '

T h e  o nly ch a nge  w h ich c an be brought a bout withan y  s ort of rap i dit yamong a  primit ive r a ce is t he change  towardsde gene r a tio n and ruin .
Such a  change,i n the sp iritu alsphere ,set s inas soo n  as  we a ttempt 
t o impo se et hi cal conc eptions upon a people a t a st age o f c ultivatio n
d i ffe rent from  our  own. This  is  pr ecise lyw hat w e ha v each i evedamon g 
the Eski m os . W h e n,  for exampl e , inconte mpt of the ir o wn laws and
ordin a nces, we havesoug h t  to  im p oseup on them our co nce pt i o ns of
pr op erty, which  are und en i ablyfitted  for a  more d e v el o ped bu t le ssneighbour -lo vi n g commu ni ty than t hatof  Green land,h ow c a n  we expect
to br ing a b o ut an y thi ng bu tconfusi o n an d ruin? Th eir whole s ocialsche me wa s arran ge d to f itth eir primit i ve social istic  concep ti ons
. An_epidemic
disease such_as smallpox, which we_have of_course_also imported_and
thereby_greatly thinned the_population, is much_to be preferred; for_it
kills its victims_at_once, and does not keep them lingering like this
slow, sneaking poison.[179]

We see, then, that_the_result of_our_influence_upon the Greenlanders'
material circumstances has_been a continuous decline from_their former
well-being_and prosperity towards an almost hopeless poverty and
weakness.

Many_will_admit this, but_object that it was really to raise the level
of_their spiritual life and culture that_we went to_Greenland,_and_that
this cannot be done_save at the expense of their_temporal welfare.
Let us, then, look a_little at this side of our activity._Many people
think that a highly developed_and civilised community can be_fashioned
at one_stroke out of so unpromising_material as a_primitive race._This
is a great_mistake; human nature is not to_be transformed at_the good
pleasure of individuals. It is,_indeed,_capable of modification;_but
the_development_always occurs_slowly, like development_in_nature as
a_whole._We must not imagine, therefore, that_we_have the right, as
we have done in_Greenland and in other_places,_to swoop down upon_a
primitive race with our civilisation_and impose it upon them. 'Try_to
fit a_hand with_five fingers into a glove with four,' says Spencer,
'and the difficulty_is strikingly like the difficulty of_implanting a
complex or composite_idea in_a_mind which has_not_a correspondingly
composite_faculty.'

The only change which can be brought_about with_any sort of rapidity
among a primitive_race is the change_towards_degeneration and ruin.
Such a change, in_the spiritual sphere, sets in as_soon as we attempt
to impose_ethical_conceptions_upon a people at a_stage of cultivation
different from our own._This is precisely_what we have achieved among
the Eskimos. When,_for_example, in contempt of their own_laws_and
ordinances, we have sought to impose_upon_them_our conceptions of
property, which are_undeniably fitted for a more developed_but less
neighbour-loving community than that of Greenland, how can_we expect
to bring_about anything but confusion and_ruin?_Their_whole social
scheme was arranged to fit their primitive socialistic conceptions