218 Of incy^easing Wealth, as it Bk. iii. 



forts of the lower classes of society do not depend 

 solely upon food, nor even upon strict necessaries; 

 and they cannot be considered as in a good state 

 unless they have the command of some conveni- 

 ences and even luxuries. Secondly, the tendency 

 in population fully to keep pace with the means 

 of subsistence must in general prevent the increase 

 of these means from having a great and perma- 

 nent effect in improving the condition of the poor. 

 And, thirdly, the cause which has the most lasting 

 effect in improving the situation of the lower 

 classes of society depends chiefly upon the con- 

 duct and prudence of the individuals themselves, 

 and is, therefore, not immediately and necessarily 

 connected with an increase in the means of sub- 

 sistence. 



With a view, therefore, to the other causes 

 which affect the condition of the labouring classes, 

 as well as the increase of the means of subsistence, 

 it may be desirable to trace more particularly the 

 mode in which increasing wealth operates, and to 

 state both the disadvantages as well as the advan- 

 tages with which it is accompanied. 



In the natural and regular progress of a country 

 to a state of great wealth and population, there 

 are two disadvantages to which the lower classes 

 of society seem necessarily to be subjected. The 

 first is, a diminished power of supporting children 

 under the existing habits of the society with re- 

 spect to the necessaries of life. And the second, 

 the employment of a larger proportion of the po- 

 pulation in occupations less favourable to health. 



