APPEXDrx. 449 



advantage of rearing the requisite population of any country 

 from tlie smallest number of births. I have stated expresslv, 

 that a decrease of mortality at all ages is what we ought 

 chieHy to aim at ; and as the best criterion of happiness and 

 good government, instead of the largeness of the proportion 

 ot births, wliich was the usual mode of judging, I have pro- 

 posed the saiallness of the proportion dying under the age 

 of puberty. Conscious that I had never mtentionally de- 

 viated from these principles, I might well be rather sur- 

 prised to hear that 1 had been considered by some as an 

 enemy to the introduction of the vaccine inoculation, which 

 is calculated to attain the very end which 1 have uniformly 

 considered as so desirable. 1 have indeed intimated what I 

 still continue most firmly to believe, that if the resources of 

 the country would not permanently admit of a greatly acce- 

 lerated rate of increase in the population (and whether they 

 would or not must certainly depend upon other causes be- 

 sides the number of lives saved by the vaccine inocula- 

 tion),* one of two things would happen, either an increased 

 mortality of some other diseases, or a diminution in the pro- 

 portion of births. But 1 have expressed my conviction that 

 the latter effect would take place ; and therefore consistently 

 with the opinions which I have always maintained, I ought 

 to he, and am, one of the warmest friends to the introduc- 

 tion of the cow-pox. In making every exertion which I 

 think likely to be effectual, to increase the comforts and di- 

 minish the mortality among the poor, I act in the most 

 e.xact conformity to my principles. Whether those are 

 equally consistent who profess to have the same object in 

 view, and yet measure the happiness of nations by the large 

 proportion of marriages and births, is a point which they 

 would do well to consider. 



It has been said by some, that the natural checks to po- 

 l)ulation will always be suflicient to keep it within bounds, 

 without resorting to any other aids ; and one ingenious 

 writer has remarked that I have not deduced a single original 

 fact from real observation, to prove the inefficiency of the 



• It sliould be remarked, however, llmt n young person saved from death is 

 more likely to contribute to the creation of fresh resources than another birth. 

 It is a great loss of lahnnr and food to begin over again. And universally it is 

 inre that, under similar circunist.'nces, that article will come the cheapest to 

 market, which is nccumpanied by fewest failnrrs. 



vor,. II. G c 



