396 Of the Checks to Population, 8$c. Bk. ii. 



It shews that an acceleration in the rate of in- 

 crease is quite consistent with a diminution in the 

 proportion of births, and that such a diminution 

 is likely to take place under a diminished morta- 

 lity from whatever cause or causes arising. 



As a curious and striking proof of the error into 

 which we should fall, in estimating the population 

 of countries at different periods by the increase 

 of births, it may be remarked that, according to 

 Necker, the annual births in France on an ave- 

 rage of six years, ending with 1780, were 958,586. 

 The births for the same number of years ending 

 with 1822, were, as above stated, 957,875. Esti- 

 mating therefore the population by the births, it 

 would appear that in 42 years it had rather di- 

 minished than increased, whereas, by enumera- 

 tions, there is every reason to believe that it has 

 increased in that time nearly four millions. 



