THE BIRTH-RATE 67 



subsistence, and would quickly be reduced, at the cost 

 of fearful suffering, to the number which could live on 

 the wreck of our civilization. If, on the other hand, 

 the average strength and ability of the nation increased, 

 the wealth of the country would grow far faster than 

 the population, and, if properly distributed, would 

 lighten the lot of all. 



We are coming to understand that an able man 

 creates wealth and supports others by making work 

 for them. The essence of the matter was well put 

 by William Farr, in the Census Report of 1851, though 

 his views failed to obtain recognition : 



"The character of every race of men is the real 

 limit to its numbers in the world, if allowance be 

 made for accidents of position and time. 



"Population is often out of place where it is 

 wanted, or could be most productive ; but the popula- 

 tion of the world is not, as Malthus assumes, re- 

 dundant ; and not only is there a paucity of men 

 of transcendent genius in all countries, but few persons 

 who have occasion to undertake, or who accomplish, 

 great industrial, political, warlike, or other operations, 

 ever find that the men of skill, industry, and entire 

 trustworthiness of whom they can dispose, either 

 in the highest or the lowest departments are super- 

 abundant. Every master knows that good men and 

 every man that good masters are scarce. 



"The idle who will not work, the unskilful who 

 cannot work, and the criminal classes who cannot 

 be trusted, are, however, it may be admitted, whether 

 numerous or few, always redundant." 



The years that have passed since these words were 



