134 Of the Checks to Population Bk. i. 



ject to Russia, one of which supports itself almost 

 entirely by plunder, and the other lives as peace- 

 ably as the restlessness of its neighbours will 

 admit. It may be curious to trace the different 

 checks to population that result from these diffe- 

 rent habits. 



The Kirgisiens, according to Pallas,* live at 

 their ease in comparison of the other wandering 

 tribes that are subject to Russia. The spirit of 

 liberty and independence which reigns amongst 

 them, joined to the facility with which they can 

 procure a flock sufficient for their maintenance, 

 prevents any of them from entering into the ser- 

 vice of others. They all expect to be treated as 

 brothers; and the rich therefore are obliged to 

 use slaves. It may be asked what are the causes 

 which prevent the lower classes of people from in- 

 creasing till they become poor? 



Pallas has not informed us how far vicious cus- 

 toms with respect to women, or the restraints on 

 marriage from the fear of a family may have con- 

 tributed to this effeet; but perhaps the descrip- 

 tion which he gives of their civil constitution and 

 licentious spirit of rapine, may alone be almost 

 sufficient to account for it. The Chan cannot ex- 

 ercise his authority but through the medium of a 

 council of principal persons, chosen by the people ; 



* Not having been able to procure the work of Pallas on the 

 history of the Mongol nations, I have here made use of a general 

 abridgment of the works of the Russian travellers, in 4 vols. oct. 

 published at Berne and Lausanne in J 7*81 and 1/84, entitled De- 

 couvertes Russes, torn. iii. p. 399. 



