470 APPENDIX. 



to the public. In the truth of the general principles of the 

 Essay I confess that I feel such a confidence, that, till some- 

 thing has been advanced against them very different indeed 

 from any thing that has hitherto appeared, I cannot help 

 considering them as incontrovertible. With regard to the ap- 

 plication of these principles, the case is certainly different ; 

 and as dangers of opposite kinds are to be guarded against, 

 the subject will, of course, admit of much latitude of opi- 

 nion. At all events, however, it must be allowed that, 

 whatever may be our determination respecting the advan- 

 tages or disadvantages of endeavouring to circulate the 

 truths on this subject among the poor, it must be highly 

 advantageous that they should be known to all those who 

 have it in their power to influence the laws and institutions 

 of society. That the body of an army should not in all 

 cases know the particulars of their situation may possibly 

 be desirable ; but that the leaders should be in the same 

 state of ignorance will hardly, 1 think, be contended. 



If it be really true, that without a diminished proportion 

 of births* we cannot attain any per matieiit improvement in 

 the health and happiness of the mass of the people, and 

 cannot secure that description of population, which, by con- 

 taining a larger share of adults, is best calculated to create 

 fresh resources, and consequently to encourage a continued 

 increase of efficient population ; it is surely of the highest 

 importance that this should be known, that, if we take no 

 steps directly to promote this effect, we should not, under 

 the influence of the former prejudices on this subject, en- 

 deavour to counteract it.f And if it be thought unadvise- 



• It should always be recollected tliat a diminished prcrportion of births may 

 take place under a constant annual increase of the absolute number. This is 

 in fact exactly what has happened in England and Scotland during the last 

 forty years. 



■f We should be aware that a scarcity of men, owing either to great losses, 

 or to some particular and unusual demand, is liable to happen in every country; 

 and in no respect invaljdates the general principle that has been advanced. 

 Whatever may be the tendency to increase, it is quite clear that an extraordi- 

 nary supply of men cannot be produced either in six months, or six years ; but 

 even with a view to a more than usual supply, causes which tend to diminish 

 mortality are not only more certain but more rapid in their effects, than direct 

 encouragements to marriage. An increase of births may, and often does, take 

 place, without the ultimate accomplishment of our object ; but supposing the 

 births to remain the same, it is impossible for a diminished mortality not to be 

 accompanied by an increase of effective population. 



We are very apt to be deceived on this subject by the almost constant de- 

 wand for labour, which prevails in every prosperous country ; but we should 



