In certain persons again--especially in members of an aristocratic caste or in others who are able to trace their descent through a long line of ancestors--some important aspects of the parent-love come to be attached to the idea of the whole family of which they form a part; the tendencies to esteem, obedience, admiration or idealisation originally aroused by the child's immediate parents being transferred to the family or clan regarded as a social group, which has existed in the past, exists now in those of its members who happen to be living and will continue to exist in their descendants. This kind of transference may constitute a sublimation of considerable value, inasmuch as it may afford a powerful motive to the individual for not falling below the level of attainment or civic worth that is expected of the family, and generally for doing all that may enhance, and avoiding all that may degrade, the family reputation; on the other hand, it may sometimes be productive of an undue tendency towards conservatism and may lead to the stifling of individual effort, independence and initiative, through the imposition of a too uniform standard of conduct and achievement or a too close adherence to tradition. [Sidenote: School] In many persons, again, the school, as the centre of influence that succeeds in time (and often in importance) to that constituted by the family circle, naturally draws to itself many of the emotions which had hitherto found their exclusive outlet in the family; loyalty and obedience to school traditions, together with respect, tenderness, pride and admiration for the school as a collective body replacing to some extent the corresponding feelings which had previously been experienced principally or solely in relation to the parents. [Sidenote: University] At a later age, these same feelings may be again displaced on to a College or University; the term _Alma Mater_, so frequently applied to the latter, bearing witness to the extent to which a University is habitually endowed with maternal attributes--being regarded as a kindly mother (often of venerable age and experience) who imparts to her sons the learning and wisdom that she possesses, and generally equips them for the tasks and trials of life in the outer world. [Sidenote: Town] Towns[147] may also become the recipients of parentally, and especially maternally, directed feeling; those who love and admire a town often referring to it in terms which would be more directly appropriate to a woman; a woman behind whom the mother image can usually be discovered. The emotions aroused by the besieging, attacking or capturing of towns in warfare are also in part derived from the same source. [Sidenote: Other objects] The same feeling too is often directed to houses, ships, churches (and especially to the institution of the Church; _cp._ the phrase "Mother Church"); also to trees, woods, mountains, lakes, rivers, the sea and other natural objects.