54 OF GENERAL NATURALIZATION. 



equal space of ground bear and contain a far greater 

 quantity of people, if they were mustered by the 

 poll ; neither can I see, that this kingdom is so much 

 inferior unto those foreign parts in fruitfulness, as it 

 is in population ; which makes me conceive we have 

 not our full charge. Besides, I do see manifestly 

 amongst us the badges and tokens rather of scarce 

 ness, than of press of people, as drowned grounds, com 

 mons, wastes, and the like, which is a plain demonstra 

 tion, that howsoever there may be an over-swelling 

 throng and press of people here about London, which 

 is most in our eye, yet the body of the kingdom is but 

 thin sown with people ; and whosoever shall compare 

 the ruins and decays of ancient towns in this realm, 

 with the erections and augmentations of new, cannot 

 but judge that this realm hath been far better 

 peopled in former times ; it may be, in the heptar 

 chy, or otherwise : for generally the rule holdeth, 

 the smaller the state the greater the population, 

 &quot; pro rata.&quot; And whether this be true or no, we 

 need not seek farther, than to call to our remem 

 brance how many of us serve here in this place for 

 desolate and decayed boroughs. 



Again, Mr. Speaker, whosoever looketh into the 

 principles of estate, must hold that it is the mediter- 

 rane countries, and not the maritime, which need to 

 fear surcharge of people ; for all sea provinces, and 

 especially islands, have another element besides the 

 earth and soil, for their sustentation. For what an 

 infinite number of people are, and may be, sustained 

 by fishing, carriage by sea, and merchandising ? 



