Ch. i. the Increase of Population and Food. 3 



fuse and liberal hand; but has been comparatively 

 sparing in the room and the nourishment necessary 

 to rear them. The germs of existence contained 

 in this earth, if they could freely develope them- 

 selves, would fill millions of worlds in the course 

 of a few thousand years. Necessity, that impe- 

 rious, all-pervading law of nature, restrains them 

 within the prescribed bounds. The race of plants 

 and the race of animals shrink under this great 

 restrictive law ; and man cannot by any efforts of 

 reason escape from it. 



In plants and irrational animals, the view of the 

 subject is simple. They are all impelled by a 

 powerful instinct to the increase of their species ; 

 and this instinct is interrupted by no doubts about 

 providing for their offspring. Wherever therefore 

 there is liberty, the power of increase is exerted ; 

 and the superabundant effects are repressed after- 

 wards by want of room and nourishment. 



The effects of this check on man are more com- 

 plicated. Impelled to the increase of his species 

 by an equally powerful instinct, reason interrupts 

 his career, and asks him whether he may not bring 

 beings into the world, for whom he cannot provide 

 the means of support. If he attend to this natural 

 suggestion, the restriction too frequently produces 

 vice. If he hear it not, the human race will be 

 constantly endeavouring to increase beyond the 

 means of subsistence. But as, by that law of our 

 nature which makes food necessary to the life of 

 man, population can never actually increase be- 

 yond the lowest nourishment capable of supporting 



b2 



