308 Of the Consequences Bk. iv. 



if the introduction of the cow-pox should extirpate 

 the small-pox, and yet the number of marriages 

 continue the same, we shall find a very perceptible 

 difference in the increased mortality of some other 

 diseases. Nothing could prevent this effect but a 

 sudden start in our agriculture; and if this should 

 take place, it will not be so much owing to the 

 number of children saved from death by the cow- 

 pox inoculation, as to the alarms occasioned 

 among the people of property by the late scarci- 

 ties,* and to the increased gains of farmers, which 

 have been so absurdly reprobated, I am strongly 

 however inclined to believe that the number of 

 marriages will not, in this case, remain the same ; 

 but that the gradual light, which may be expected 

 to be thrown on this interesting topic of human in- 

 quiry, will teach us how to make the extinction 

 of a mortal disorder a real blessing to us, a real 

 improvement in the general health and happiness 

 of the society. 



If, on contemplating the increase of vice which 

 might contingently follov*^ an attempt to inculcate 

 the duty of moral restraint, and the increase of 

 misery that must necessarily follow the attempts 

 to encourage marriage and population, we come 

 to the conclusion, not to interfere in any respect, 

 but to leave every man to his own free choice, and 

 responsible only to God for the evil which he does 



* The scarce harvests of IZOO and 1800. The start here 

 alhuled to, certainly took place from 1801 to 1814, and provision 

 was really made for the diniinislicd mortality. 



