310 Of the Consequences, S^c. Bk. iv. 



with unnecessary children, without compensating 

 for it by an accession of happiness and virtue to 

 the parties themselves. 



Throughout all the ranks of society the prevail- 

 ing opinions respecting the duty and obligation of 

 marriage cannot but have a very powerful influence. 

 The man who thinks that, in going out of the world 

 without leaving representatives behind him, he 

 shall have failed in an important duty to society, 

 will be disposed to force rather than to repress his 

 inclinations on this subject; and when his reason 

 represents to him the difficulties attending a family, 

 he will endeavour not to attend to these sugges- 

 tions, will still determine to venture, and will hope 

 that, in the discharge of what he conceives to be 

 his duty, he shall not be deserted by Providence. 



In a civilized country, such as England, where a 

 taste for the decencies and comforts of life prevails 

 among a very large class of people, it is not pos- 

 sible that the encouragements to marriage, from 

 positive institutions and prevailing opinions should 

 entirely obscure the light of nature and reason on 

 this subject ; but still they contribute to make it 

 comparatively weak and indistinct. And till this 

 obscurity is removed, and the poor are undeceived 

 with respect to the principal cause of their poverty, 

 and taught to know, that their happiness or misery 

 must depend chiefly upon themselves, it cannot 

 be said that, with regard to the great question of 

 marriage, we leave every man to his own free and 

 fair choice. 



