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CHAP. XIV. 



Of our rational Expectations respecting the future 

 Improvement of Society. 



In taking a general and concluding view of our 

 rational expectations respecting the mitigation of 

 the evils arising from the principle of population, 

 it may be observed that though the increase of 

 population in a geometrical ratio be incontro- 

 vertible, and the period of doubling, when un- 

 checked, has been uniformly stated in this work 

 rather below than above the truth ; yet there are 

 some natural consequences of the progress of 

 society and civilization, which necessarily repress 

 its full effects. These are, more particularly, 

 great towns and manufactures, in which we can 

 scarcely hope, and certainly not expect, to see 

 any very material change. It is undoubtedly our 

 duty, and in every point of view highly desirable, 

 to make towns and manufacturing employments 

 as little injurious as possible to the duration of 

 human life; but, after all our efforts, it is probable 

 that they will always remain less healthy than 

 country situations and country employments; 

 and consequently, operating as positive checks, 

 will diminish in some degree the necessity of the 

 preventive check. 



In every old state, it is observed that a consi- 

 derable number of grown-up people remain for a 



