58 THE PROBLEM OF MALTHUS STATED. 



was delayed by increased knowledge and productiveness, 

 fairer modes of wealth distribution, and the gradual spread 

 over all habitable areas ; or hastened by exhaustion of existing 

 sources of wealth, or a state of anarchy ; the stage would 

 in effect be often reached in particular isolated districts, 

 although not in all, by reason of human ignorances, jealousies, 

 prejudices, not to mention lower types of human beings 

 unfitted for the reception of a higher civilisation. 



Had it not been for the fortunate discovery of the steam- 

 engine, the perfecting of means of transport, and the 

 discovery of new fertile continents (Australia and America) 

 thinly populated, opening out vast additional sources of pro- 

 duction and affording relief to the pressure of crowded 

 European centres, it is certain the state of Europe would be 

 very different at the present hour ; and tlio check C would 

 long ere this have reduced existing crowded centres to half 

 their present numbers. What would England do with her 

 present population (37 millions) if America and Australia 

 were no lougcr open to her emigrants and no longer furnished 

 food and other products. England is now a striking example 

 of a country whose population has rapidly outstripped 

 the means of subsistence so far as local supply of food is 

 concenied. 



You will readily conceive, therefore, that the complicated 

 problem of Malthus is, — the elimination of C altogether, 

 or, as far as it lies within man's control, with the substitution 

 of an increased power of M, only when deemed to be 

 absolutely necessary to banish the dire influence of C. 

 Both Malthus and ^Ir. Henry George agree in desiring the 

 elimination of check C, but Malthus showed that this 

 constant effect, due to vice, ignorance, disease, and misery, 

 could only be finally grappled with effectually, by never 

 allowing P, or density of pojtulation, to press too strongly on 

 the means necessary to preserve a population in a healthy and 

 happy state, and this could not be ])ractically effected without 

 some such controlling influences as M. The nobleness of 

 Malthus' aims, and the pi'oblems which he endeavoured to 

 grapple with, are altogether misconcieved by Mr. George and 

 other opponents. Some (might I not add the popular view) 

 even maliciously or carelessly identify the Malthusian problem 

 with the revolting physical check of Condorcet and others; 

 and also of the view which rests in considering vice and 

 misery as necessary evils. This proves that such peoi)le have 

 not honestly studied the views of this much-wronged 

 philanthropist. This is indisi>utjibly proved by the following 

 quotation from his writings, pp. 478, 479 : " Vice and misery, 

 and these alone, are the evils which it has been my great 

 object to contend against. I have expressly proposed moral 



