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any reference to the principles, or, as they are too often regarded, the prejudices of either natural or revealed religion; on a thorough examination of numerous facts connected with the physiology of the human race, the true principle of increase was discovered, and, by a series of calculations, all terminating in the same results, I hope it may be added, fully demonstrated; a principle of greater efficiency in accomplishing one of the necessary purposes of reproduction, that of first replenishing the earth, or still peopling different parts of it, than the one it opposes; and, on the other hand, totally free from the appalling consequences to which that necessarily leads; and, above all, in reference to the subject then under consideration, delivering one of the most exalted duties of Christianity from the objections by which it is now assailed, and reconciling its constant and systematic discharge with the laws of nature, and the present and permanent interests of mankind.

The principle of human increase thus obtained, may be very briefly enunciated, and is simply this: The fecundity of human beings is, cæteris paribus, in the inverse ratio of the condensation of their numbers; and, still in direct contradiction to the theory now maintained, the variation in that fecundity is effectuated, not by the wretchedness and misery, but by the happiness and prosperity of the species.

That mankind cannot possibly multiply be

yond the means of sustentation is an obvious truth, and common to both theories. The distinction between them, therefore, and it is one of incalculable importance, both as to the principle and its consequences, is simply this; the one invests human beings with a superfecundity which can only be regulated by vice or misery, or by that which is a compound of both, and, practically, more degrading and disgusting than either "moral restraint:" while the other maintains, that the law of human increase adapts itself to the existing numbers of mankind, and has for its regulator the prosperity and happiness of the species. That the latter theory, assuming its truth, best comports with the welfare of mankind, admits of no dispute; à priori, therefore, the presumption is, that it is the law of nature and of Providence; on due examination it will be found that the presumption rises into certainty.

Before any appeal is made to the calculations by which this principle of increase is established, it may be proper to remark, that the idea thus broadly stated, is in strict accordance with the physiology of the human species in reference to this subject, as propounded from the time of Hippocrates, and maintained, I believe, unanimously, down to the present hour. Excluding, of course, cases of extreme distress, a state of labour and privation is that most favourable to human fecundity. A dispersed and scanty population

invariably implies that state; but as mankind advance from the hunting to the pastoral, and from thence to the agricultural stages of existence, and ultimately rise to the highest condition of civilization, labour becomes divided, and consequently diminished in its duration and intensity, and many are liberated from its drudgeries, so as to devote themselves to other and more intellectual pursuits, or are rendered independent of it altogether, while the means of subsistence become progressively augmented, and ease and luxury more generally diffused. At every step the principle of increase contracts, and, as I contend, would pause at that precise point where it had secured the utmost possible degree of happiness to the greatest possible number of human beings. Meantime, it must be remarked that, in this auspicious progress, their moral and intellectual advancement more than keeps pace with the improvement in their natural condition; while the climate, the seasons, and the face of nature itself, participate in the universal blessing of an enlarging population.

Having, as I conceived, ascertained the reality of this benevolent law of nature, I thought it necessary to examine, with the greatest attention, the proofs and arguments by which the contrary theory professes to be supported, when all of them seemed to resolve themselves into so many direct evidences of the more cheering view of the subject, leaving not a remaining

doubt as to its certainty and truth. Impressed with its importance, I therefore extended the argument beyond my first intention, of rendering it merely subservient to a defence of the poor-laws; and, I may, perhaps, be permitted to say, the inquiry has been pursued with the utmost diligence; with what success the public will speedily be enabled to judge. In the mean time, a very brief notice of some only of its leading points becomes necessary, in conse quence of having been induced to publish the present part of the work in the first instance, for reasons, which, it is hoped, may at the present moment justify so unusual a course.

In the first book, the principles of the prevailing theory of population, as propounded by Mr. Malthus, are examined, especially the geometric and arithmetic ratios, which are proved to be misplaced; and the checks which are supposed to reconcile their adverse tendencies are shown to have diminished in their operation as population has increased; contradicting, consequently, the theory they are brought forward to support; more especially the preventive one, which is the main reliance of the whole system. This, by a strange and fatal error in the principle of its calculation; has been supposed to increase in its prevalence as the theory requires, when, in point of fact, it has diminished in every country, and especially in those of which the contrary is the most confidently asserted. The disputed ques

tion of the precedency of population to food is likewise discussed, and the priority of the former is shown to be the order of nature, being not only the means of producing and dispensing plenty amongst human beings, but, by the creation of that sole spring of human exertion, necessity, of advancing mankind through successive stages of civilization, and preserving them from relapsing into barbarism. In this book it has been found necessary to show the utter destitution of all claims to originality, either in regard to its principle, or the terms in which it is propounded, of that theory which is regarded by many in the light of a discovery; and this, not for the purpose of settling a point of authorship, but to show that it is one of those many systems which, as Aristotle observes, the wisdom of preceding ages has examined and rejected, and the ignorance of subsequent ones succeeded for a time in reviving. Generations ago, the notion of the superfecundity of human beings was expressed in quite as forcible terms; supported by exactly the same arguments; and precisely the same remedies were propounded for the "evils it occasioned," as at the present day. It was a doctrine, moreover, which had as many advocates then as now, but it was met by the arguments and the abhorrence of the greatest and the wisest of our countrymen; and however often it may be revived by selfishness and ignorance, it will descend so branded to the remotest posterity.

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