226 Of the Checks to Population in Bk. i. 



" dearths should be so frequent in China;"* and 

 in the conclusion of his letter he remarks that, if 

 famine did not, from time to time, thin the im- 

 mense number of inhabitants which China con- 

 tains, it would be impossible for her to live in 

 peace.f The causes of these frequent famines he 

 endeavours to investigate ; and begins by observ- 

 ing, very justly, that in a time of dearth China 

 can obtain no assistance from her neighbours, and 

 must necessarily draw the whole of her resources 

 from her own provinces.^ He then describes the 

 delays and artifices, which often defeat the em- 

 peror's intentions to assist, from the public gra- 

 naries, those parts of the country which are the 

 most distressed. When a harvest fails in any 

 province, either from excessive drought or a sud- 

 den inundation, the great mandarins have recourse 

 to the public granaries ; but often find them empty, 

 owing to the dishonesty of the inferior mandarins, 

 who have the charge of them. Examinations and 

 researches are then made, and an unwillingness 

 prevails to inform the court of such disagreeable 

 intelligence. Memorials are however at length 

 presented. These memorials pass through many 

 hands, and do not reach the emperor till after 

 many days. The great officers of state are then 

 ordered to assemble, and to deliberate on the 

 means of relieving the misery of the people. 

 Declarations full of expressions of compassion for 



* Lettres Edit', et Curieuses, tom.xxii. p. 174. 

 t Id. p. 186. 

 % Id. p. 175. 



