Ch. ii. Of the general Checks to Population, §c. 13 



irrational animals are all either positive, or, if pre- 

 ventive, involuntary. But man cannot look around 

 him, and see the distress which frequently presses 

 upon those who have large families ; he cannot 

 contemplate his present possessions or earnings, 

 which he now nearly consumes himself, and cal- 

 culate the amount of each share, when with very 

 little addition they must be divided, perhaps, 

 among seven or eight, without feeling a doubt 

 whether, if he follow the bent of his inclinations, 

 he may be able to support the offspring which he 

 will probably bring into the world. In a state of 

 equality, if such can exist, this would be the 

 simple question. In the present state of society 

 other considerations occur. Will he not lower his 

 rank in life, and be obliged to give up in great 

 measure his former habits ? Does any mode of 

 employment present itself by which he may rea- 

 sonably hope to maintain a family ? Will he not 

 at any rate subject himself to greater difficulties, 

 and more severe labour, than in his single state ? 

 Will he not be unable to transmit to his children 

 the same advantages of education and improve- 

 ment that he had himself possessed ? Does he 

 even feel secure that, should he have a large 

 family, his utmost exertions can save them from 

 rags and squalid poverty, and their consequent 

 degradation in the community ? And may he not 

 be reduced to the grating necessity of forfeiting 

 his independence, and of being obliged to the 

 sparing hand of Charity for support ? 



These considerations are calculated to prevent, 



