Ch. xiii. affects the Condition of the Poor. 213 



crease of population in the natural progress of cul- 

 tivation, with which limit, the limit to the further 

 progress of wealth is obviously not contemporary. 

 But though cases of this kind do not often occur, 

 because these limits are seldom reached; yet ap- 

 proximations to them are constantly taking place, 

 and in the usual progress of improvement the in- 

 crease of wealth and capital is rarely accompanied 

 with a proportionately increased power of sup- 

 porting an additional number of labourers. 



Some ancient nations, which, according to the 

 accounts we have received of them, possessed but 

 an inconsiderable quantity of manufacturing and 

 commercial capital, appear to have cultivated 

 their lands highly by means of an agrarian division 

 of property, and were unquestionably very popu- 

 lous. In such countries, though full of people al- 

 ready, there would evidently be room for a very 

 great increase of capital and riches; but, allowing 

 all the weight that is in any degree probable to the 

 increased production or importation of food occa- 

 sioned by the stimulus of additional capital, there 

 would evidently not be room for a proportionate 

 increase of the means of subsistence. 



If we compare the early state of our most flou- 

 rishing European kingdoms with their present 

 state, we shall find this conclusion confirmed al- 

 most universally by experience. 



Adam Smith, in treating of the different pro- 

 gress of opulence in different nations, says, that 

 England, since the time of Elizabeth, has been 

 continually advancing in commerce and manufac- 



