Ch. x. the Turkish Dominions and Persia. 187 



5. And lastly, the sicknesses which always fol- 

 low a famine, and which occasion a much greater 

 mortality.* 



He afterwards gives a more particular account 

 of the devastations of the plague in different parts 

 of the empire, and concludes by observing, that 

 if the number of the Mahometans have decreased, 

 this cause alone is adequate to the effect ;f and 

 that, things going on in their present train, the 

 Turkish population will be extinct in another cen- 

 tury.J But this inference, and the calculations 

 which relate to it, are without doubt erroneous. 

 The increase of population in the intervals of these 

 periods of mortality is probably greater than he is 

 aware of. At the same time it must be remarked 

 that in a country where the industry of the hus- 

 bandman is confined to the supply of his neces- 

 sary wants, where he sows only to prevent himself 

 from starving, and is unable to accumulate any 

 surplus produce, a great loss of people is not easily 

 recovered ; as the natural effects arising from the 

 diminished numbers cannot be felt in the same 

 degree as in countries where industry prevails, 

 and property is secure. 



According to the Persian legislator Zoroaster, 

 to plant a tree, to cultivate a field, to beget chil- 

 dren, are meritorious acts; but it appears from 

 the accounts of travellers, that many among the 

 lower classes of people cannot easily attain the 



* Eton's Turkish Enip. c. vii. p. 264. 

 t Id. p. 291. 

 X Id. p. 280. 



