APrENDix. 473 



been comparatively stationary in others, he would be con- 

 stantly prepared for failures. These failures, instead of 

 creating despair, would only create knowledge; instead of 

 checking his ardour, would give it a wiser and more success- 

 ful direction; and, having founded his opinion of mankind 

 on broad and general grounds, the disappointment of any 

 particular views would not change this opinion ; but even 

 in declining age he would probably be found believing as 

 firmly in the reality and general prevalence of virtue as in 

 the existence and frequency of vice; and to the last, looking 

 forward with a just confidence to those improvements in 

 society, which the history of the past, in spite of all the re- 

 verses with which it is accompanied, seems clearly to war- 

 rant. 



It may be true that, if ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be 

 wise ; but if ignorance be not bliss, as in the present instance ; 

 if all false views of society must not only impede decidedly 

 the progress of improvement, but necessarily terminate in 

 the most bitter disappointments to the individuals who 

 formed them; I shall always think that the feelings and 

 prospects of those, who make the justest estimates of our 

 future expectations, are the most consolatory; and that the 

 characters of this description are happier themselves, at the 

 same time that they are beyond comparison Jiiore likely to 

 contribute to the improvement and happiness of society.* 



* While the last sheet of this Appendix was printing (1807,) 

 I heard with some surprise, that an argument had been drawn 

 from the Principle of Population in favour of the slave-trade. 

 As the just conclusion from that principle appears to me to be 

 exactly the contrary, I cannot help saying a few words on the sub- 

 ject. 



If the only argument against the slave-trade had been, that, 

 from the mortality it occasioned, it was likely to unpeople Africa, 

 or extinguish the human race, some comfort with regard to these 

 fears might, indeed, be drawn from the Principle of Population ; 

 but as the necessity of the abolition has never, that I know of, been 

 urged on the ground of these apprehensions, a reference to the 

 laws which regulate the increase of the human species was cer- 

 tainly most unwise in the friends of the slave-trade. 



The abolition of the slave-trade is defended principally by the 

 two following arguments: — 



1st. That the trade to the coast of Africa for slaves, together 

 with their subsequent treatment in the West Indies, is productive 



