ABSTRACT

This chapter explains that superior populousness of antiquity, which is commonly supposed, by the imaginary youth or vigour of the world, is scarcely be admitted by any just reasoner. It is concerning with the populousness of ancient and modern times, being allowed of great importance. The chief difference between the domestic economy of the ancients and that of the moderns consists in the practice of slavery, which prevailed among the former, and which has been abolished for some centuries throughout the greater part of Europe. According to ancient practice, all checks were on the inferior, to restrain one to the duty of submission; none on the superior, to engage him to the reciprocal duties of gentleness and humanity. It is pretended that the ancient practice had infinitely the advantage, and was the chief cause of that extreme populousness, which is supposed in those times.