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of their religious creed (" restraining clause" a 

 Chancery Lawyer would call it) requires re 

 strictions on the propagation of the species ; it 

 orders such regulations as are necessary to 

 prevent children coming but once in a cer 

 tain number of years; and this matter is so 

 arranged that, when they come, they come 

 in little flocks, all within the same month, 

 perhaps, like a farmer's lambs. The Law 

 giver here made a famously " restraining sta- 

 " tute" upon the law of nature ! This way of 

 expounding law seems to be a main point of his 

 policy ; he by this means keeps his associates 

 from increasing to an unruly number within, 

 while more are sure not to come in from with 

 out ; and, 1 really am afraid he will go a good 

 way towards securing a monopoly of many 

 great improvements in agriculture, both as to 

 principle and method. People see the fine 

 fields of the Harmonites, but, the prospect 

 comes damped with the idea of bondage and 

 celibacy. It is a curious society : was ever one 

 heard of before that did not wish to increase ! 

 This smells strong of policy ; some distinct 

 view in the leaders, no doubt. Who would be 

 surprized if we were to see a still more curious 

 society by and bye? A Society Sole ! very far 

 from improbable, if the sons of Rapp (for he 

 has children, nevertheless, as well as Parson 



