1 14 Checks to Population among the ancient Bk. i. 



sea was covered with their vessels from one end 

 of Europe to the other;* and the countries now 

 the most powerful in arts and arms were the 

 prey of their constant depredations. The grow- 

 ing and consolidating strength of these countries 

 at length removed all further prospect of success 

 from such invasions.f The nations of the north 

 were slowly and reluctantly compelled to confine 

 themselves within their natural limits and to ex- 

 change their pastoral manners, and with them the 

 peculiar facilities of plunder and emigration which 

 they afforded, for the patient labours and slow re- 

 turns of trade and agriculture. But the slowness 

 of these returns necessarily effected an important 

 change in the manners of the people. 



In ancient Scandinavia, during the time of its 

 constant wars and emigrations, few, or none pro- 

 bably, were ever deterred from marrying by the 

 fear of not being able to provide for a family. In 

 modern Scandinavia, on the contrary, the frequency 

 of the marriage union is continually checked 

 by the most imperious and justly-founded appre- 

 hensions of this kind. This is most particularly 

 the case in Norway, as I shall have occasion to 

 remark in another place; but the same fears ope- 



* Mallet, Introd. k l'Histoire de Dannemarc, torn. i. c. x. p. 



221. 



f Perhaps the civilized world could not be considered as per- 

 fectly secure from another northern or eastern inundation, till the 

 total change in the art of war, by the introduction of gunpowder, 

 gave to improved skill and knowledge the decided advantage over 

 physical force. 



