284 Of the Checks to Papulation Bk. ii. 



same extent.* With regard to Sweden, they 

 clearly prove that its population has a very strong 

 tendency to increase ; and that it is not only 

 always ready to follow with the greatest alert- 

 ness any average increase in the means of sub- 

 sistence, but that it makes a start forwards at 

 every temporary and occasional increase of food; 

 by which means it is continually going beyond 

 the average increase, and is repressed by the 

 periodical returns of severe want, and the diseases 

 arising from it. 



Yet notwithstanding this constant and striking 

 tendency to overflowing numbers, strange to say! 

 the government and the political economists of 

 Sweden are continually calling out for popula- 

 tion! population! Cantzlaer observes, that the 

 government, not having the power of inducing 

 strangers to settle in the country, or of augment- 

 ing at pleasure the number of births, has occupied 

 itself since 1748 in every measure which appeared 

 proper to increase the population of the country. - ]" 

 But suppose that the government really pos- 

 sessed the power of inducing strangers to settle, 

 or of increasing the number of births at pleasure, 

 what would be the consequence ? If the strangers 

 were not such as to introduce a better system of 

 agriculture they would either be starved them- 



* This has been confirmed with regard to England, by the 

 abstracts of parish registers which have lately been published. 

 The years 1 795 and 1S00 are marked by a diminution of marriages 

 and births, and an increase of deaths. 



+ Biemoires du Royaume de Suede, c. vi. p. 188. 



