302 Of the Consequences Bk. iv. 



for the birth of another perhaps more fatal. We 

 cannot lower the waters of misery by pressing 

 them down in different places, which must neces- 

 sarily make them rise somewhere else; the only 

 way in which we can hope to effect our purpose, 

 is by drawing them off. To this course nature 

 is constantly directing our attention by the chas- 

 tisements which await a contrary conduct. These 

 chastisements are more or less severe, in propor- 

 tion to the degree in which her admonitions pro- 

 duce their intended effect. In this country at 

 present these admonitions are by no means en- 

 tirely neglected. The preventive check to popu- 

 lation prevails to a considerable degree, and her 

 chastisements are in consequence moderate : but 

 if we were all to marry at the age of puberty, they 

 would be severe indeed. Political evils would 

 probably be added to physical. A people goaded 

 by constant distress, and visited by frequent re- 

 turns of famine, could not be kept down but by 

 a cruel despotism. We should approach to the 

 state of the people in Egypt or Abyssinia; and I 

 would ask, whether in that case it is probable, 

 that we should be more virtuous? 



Physicians have long remarked the great changes 

 which take place in diseases ; and that, while 

 some appear to yield to the efforts of human care 

 and skill, others seem to become in proportion 

 more malignant and fatal. Dr. William Heberden 

 published, not long since, some valuable obser- 

 vations on this subject deduced from the London 

 bills of mortality. In his preface, speaking of 



