“348 On National Character. 
from the savage to the agricultural state of 
society, they are how passing on to the next 
step of ‘their progress, the imitative state. 
Every change here’ noticed has been effected 
by the natural consequence of’ an increase of 
population, as the history of the world bears 
ample testimony ; indeed every pagé records 
the fact, that progress in civilization and in 
population correspond, and are cause and 
effect. Ascertain the one, and a correct ae 
ment may be formed of the other.” 
Let me here call the disciples’ of Mr. 
Malthus to a consideration of this subject, 
and to a candid enquiry whether what that 
gentleman has held forth to the world as its 
great curse, is not its greatest political bles- 
sing. 'That there is fixed in the nature and 
constitution of man a check by which the 
unlimited increase of the species is prevented 
is readily acknowledged ; civilization is that 
check. If we banish war, famine and pesti- 
lence (and it is in the power of man so to 
do,) and let population roll forward with its 
utmost speed, the efiect will be. to dignify 
man by the expansion of his faculties. But 
as this takes place he becomes less of the 
animal, and the average number of children 
to a marriage sink: if they are five at a given 
period, .alittle increase of population and its - 
