BY E. M. JOHNSTON, F.L.S. 197 



the increase, stationariness, or decline in the population of 

 different countries. Malthus was not so visionary as to 

 expect the entire elimination of any of the factors. He only 

 hoped to regulate population in relation to means of sub- 

 sistence, by the substitution of an increased power of check 

 M, in place of the terrible check C. He conceived that as 

 man grew in knowledge and dignity, he might be able by 

 degrees to lower the terrible influence of C, thus favouring 

 the state P a ; the latter being prevented from again re-intro- 

 ducing the evil effects of C by the substitution of influences 

 increasing the power of the superior central check M. If the 

 check C now ruthlessly in operation be removed altogether or 

 reduced to a minimum — a most desirable thing for its own 

 sake, it is certain that the geometrical increase of I would 

 produce a maximum effect as D a, and this would sooner or 

 later, if unchecked, over-populate the whole earth. No matter 

 in what degree the final stage was delayed by increased 

 knowledge and productiveness, fairer modes of wealth dis- 

 tribution, and the gradual spread over all habitable areas ; or 

 hastened by exhaustion of existing sources of wealth, or a 

 state of anarchy ; the stage would in effect be often reached 

 in particular isolated districts, although not in all, by reason 

 of human ignorances, jealousies, prejudices, not to mention 

 lower types of human beings unfitted for the reception of a 

 higher civilisation. 



Had it not been for the fortunate discovery of the steam 

 engine, the perfecting of means of transport, and the discovery 

 of new fertile continents (Australia and America) thinly 

 populated, opening out vast additional sources of production 

 and affording relief to the pressure of crowded European 

 centres, it is certain the state of Europe would be very 

 different at the present hour ; and the check C would long ere 

 this have reduced existing crowded centres to half their 

 present numbers. What would England do with her present 

 population (37 millions) if America and Australia were no 

 longer open to her emigrants and no longer furnished food 

 and other products r England is now a striking example of 

 a country whose population has rapidly outstripped the means 

 of subsistence so far as local supply of food is concerned. 



It will readily be conceived, therefore, that the complicated 

 problem of Malthus is — the elimination of C altogether, or, 

 as far as it lies within man's control ; with the substitution of 

 an increased power of M, only when deemed to be absolutely 

 necessary to banish the dire influence of C. Both Malthus 

 and Mr, Henry George agi'ee in desiring the elimination of 

 check C, but Malthus showed that this constant effect, due to 

 vice, ignorance, disease, and misery, could only be finally 

 grappled with effectually, by never allowing P, or density of 

 population, to press too strongly on the means necessary to 



