328 Of the Checks to Population in 13k. ii. 



Nothing is more difficult than to lay down rules 

 on these subjects that do not admit of exceptions. 

 Generally speaking, it might be taken for granted 

 that an increased facility in the means of gaining 

 a livelihood, either from a great previous mortality 

 or from improving cultivation and trade, would 

 produce a greater proportion of annual marriages ; 

 but this effect might not perhaps follow. Sup- 

 posing the people to have been before in a very 

 depressed state, and much of the mortality to have 

 arisen from the want of foresight which usually 

 accompanies such a state, it is possible that the 

 sudden improvement of their condition might give 

 them more of a decent and proper pride ; and the 

 consequence would be, that the proportional num- 

 ber of marriages might remain nearly the same, 

 but they would all rear more of their children, and 

 the additional population that was wanted would 

 be supplied by a diminished mortality, instead of 

 an increased number of births. 



In the same manner, if the population of any 

 country had been long stationary, and would not 

 easily admit of an increase, it is possible that a 

 change in the habits of the people, from improved 

 education or any other cause, might diminish the 

 proportional number of marriages; but as fewer 

 children would be lost in infancy from the diseases 

 consequent on poverty, the diminution in the num- 

 ber of marriages would be balanced by the dimi- 

 nished mortality, and the population would be 

 kept up to its proper level by a smaller number of 

 births. 



