26 Of Systems of Equality. Godwin. Bk. iii. 



the first period therefore, the food, though almost 

 entirely vegetable, would be sufficient to support 

 in health the population increased from 11 to 22 

 millions.* 



During the next period, where will the food be 

 found, to satisfy the importunate demands of the 

 increasing numbers ? Where is the fresh land to 

 turn up ? Where is the dressing necessary to im- 

 prove that which is already in cultivation? There 

 is no person with the smallest knowledge of land 

 but would say that it was impossible that the 

 average produce of the country could be increased 

 during the second twenty-five years by a quantity 

 equal to what it at present yields. Yet we will 

 suppose this increase, however improbable, to 

 take place. The exuberant strength of the argu- 

 ment allows of almost any concession. Even 

 with this concession, however, there would be 1 1 

 millions at the expiration of the second term un- 

 provided for. A quantity equal to the frugal sup- 

 port of 33 millions would be to be divided among 

 44 millions. 



Alas! what becomes of the picture, where men 

 lived in the midst of plenty, where no man was 

 obliged to provide with anxiety and pain for his 

 restless wants; where the narrow principle of 

 selfishness did not exist ; where the mind was de- 

 livered from her perpetual anxiety about corporal 

 support, and free to expatiate in the field of 

 thought which is congenial to her ? This beauti- 



* The numbers here mentioned refer to the enumeration of 

 1800. 



