of a real common will with united interests and a social consciousness. Property can be possessed by the various members of the family individually, but it is not usually regarded by them as mine and therefore not thine. It can be both mine and thine. It is seen to be for the use of the family as a whole. And the family property is seen to be ours, to be employed by us in satisfying our common needs, and in seeking the common ends in which our private inclinations and interests have been merged.
Hence there is very little truth in the charge that the family is apt to produce selfishness. No doubt a family whose outlook is restricted and whose sympathies are narrow may be selfish as a family and may encourage selfishness in its members. But such selfishness is the exception. Even when the family as a social unit is selfish, it may foster unselfishness in its members. The family circle is a small one, and its members come into such close and intimate relation to one another, that unless they practise unselfishness and forbearance, the family could not exist at all. From one standpoint, the narrowness of the family, so far from being a defect, is one of its chief excellences. It concentrates the emotions and sentiments of its members in a centre of sympathy. This unity of feeling is very clearly seen when a special joy or sorrow falls upon any one member of the family. The family as a whole shares the joys and sorrows of any of its members: an injury to one is felt as an injury to all; if one brings disgrace upon himself, it is a disgrace to the family as a whole; if one wins success and honour, the whole family rejoices, not merely because of its pride in him, but
