252 Of the Checks to Population Bk. i. 



close and unwholesome ergastula, or dungeons,* 

 it is probable that the positive checks to popula- 

 tion from disease were also severe, and that when 

 epidemics prevailed, they would be most destruc- 

 tive in this part of the society. 



The unfavourableness of slavery to the propa- 

 gation of the species in the country where it pre- 

 vails, is not however decisive of the question re- 

 specting the absolute population of such a country, 

 or the greater question respecting the populous- 

 ness of ancient and modern nations. We know 

 that some countries could afford a great and con- 

 stant supply of slaves without being in the small- 

 est degree depopulated themselves ; and if these 

 supplies were poured in, as they probably would 

 be, exactly in proportion to the demand for labour 

 in the nation which received them, the question 

 respecting the populousness of this nation would 

 rest precisely on the same grounds as in modern 

 states, and depend upon the number of people 

 which it could employ and support. Whether the 

 practice of domestic slavery therefore prevail or 

 not, it may be laid down as a position not to be 

 controverted, that, taking a sufficient extent of 

 territory to include within it exportation and im- 

 portation, and allowing some variation for the 

 prevalence of luxury or of frugal habits, the po- 

 pulation of these countries will always be in pro- 

 portion to the food which the earth is made to 

 produce. And no cause, physical or moral, unless 



* Hume, Essay xi. p. 430. 



