( 424 ) 



CHAP. IX. 



Of the Checks to Population in England (continued). 



The returns of the Population Act in 1811 un- 

 doubtedly presented extraordinary results. They 

 shewed a greatly accelerated rate of progress, 

 and a greatly improved healthiness of the people, 

 notwithstanding the increase of the towns and 

 the increased proportion of the population en- 

 gaged in manufacturing employments. They 

 thus furnished another striking instance of the 

 readiness with which population starts forwards, 

 under almost any weight, when the resources of 

 a country are rapidly increasing. 



The amount of the population in 1800, together 

 with the proportions of births, deaths and mar- 

 riages, given in the registers, had made it appear 

 that the population had been for some time in- 

 creasing at a rate rather exceeding what would 

 result from a proportion of births to deaths as 4 

 to 3, with a mortality of 1 in 40. 



These proportions would add to the population 

 of a country every year 120th part ; and if they 

 were to continue, would, according to table ii., 

 ch. xi. double the population in every succes- 

 sive period of 83| years. This is a rate of pro- 

 gress which in a rich and well-peopled country 

 might reasonably be expected to diminish rather 



