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INCREASE OF THE POPULATION. 



IN the discussions which have taken place upon the 

 question of population, and especially upon the views 

 3f Malthus, two points have very generally been con- 

 founded which Malthus himself was very careful to 

 distinguish. The theory of population as it relates to 

 the community is one thing ; the course of individual 

 members of the community is another. But in 

 recent discussions the arguments which bear, or are 

 supposed to bear, on the theory of population, have 

 been used as though they were the arguments which 

 should guide the course of individuals. Is it really 

 supposed by political economists and statisticians that 

 a labourer (for example, though the same reason might 

 be applied to every class of the community) is likely 

 to care two straws about the matters which they have 

 submitted for his consideration ? In considering the 

 probable or possible addition of a new member to his 

 family, does he examine the relation between increase 

 of population throughout the country and the average 

 rate of food increase ? Does he inquire how far it is 

 desirable for the country at large that the birth-rate 

 should be maintained at such and such a value ? Does 

 he consider that our power as a colonising nation will 

 suffer, or our armies be unduly reduced, if the average 

 number of children per family falls short of its present 

 value ? He may, for aught that is known to the 



