ABSTRACT

Assuming, the author's postulata as granted: The food is necessary to the existence of man, and the passion between the sexes is necessary and will remain nearly in its present state, the author says, that the power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man. Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio. A slight acquaintance with numbers will shew the immensity of the first power in comparison of the second. By that law of our nature which makes food necessary to the life of man, the effects of these two unequal powers must be kept equal. Through the animal and vegetable kingdoms, nature has scattered the seeds of life abroad with the most profuse and liberal hand. The constant effort towards population, which is found to act even in the most vicious societies, increases the number of people before the means of subsistence are increased.