398 Of tlie Checks to Population Bk. ii. 



she must be reduced by marriage. Can a man 

 easily consent to place the object of his affection 

 in a situation so discordant, probably, to her 

 habits and inclinations ? Two or three steps of 

 descent in society, particularly at this round of 

 the ladder, where education ends and ignorance 

 begins, will not be considered by the generality 

 of people as a chimerical, but a real evil. If so- 

 ciety be desirable, it surely must be free, equal 

 and reciprocal society, where benefits are con- 

 ferred as well as received, and not such as the 

 dependent finds with his patron, or the poor with 

 the rich. 



These considerations certainly prevent many in 

 this rank of life from following the bent of their 

 inclinations in an early attachment. Others, in- 

 fluenced either by a stronger passion or a weaker 

 judgment, disregard these considerations ; and it 

 would be hard, indeed, if the gratification of so 

 delightful a passion as virtuous love did not some- 

 times more than counterbalance all its attendant 

 evils. But I fear it must be acknowledged that 

 the more general consequences of such marriages 

 are rather calculated to justify than disappoint 

 the forebodings of the prudent. 



The sons of tradesmen and farmers are ex- 

 horted not to marry, and generally find it neces- 

 sary to comply with this advice, till they are 

 settled in some business or farm, which may 

 enable them to support a family. These events 

 may not perhaps occur till they are far advanced 

 in life. The scarcity of farms is a very general 



