it is also that I should but ill have discharged that duty, had I allowed the feelings of an author to delay this appeal to the public in the cause of humanity and truth. And in thus proceeding, I have the express sanction of one whose philosophy I have endeavoured to follow throughout, though at an immeasurable distance-Bacon, who, in a kind of soliloquy prefixed to his great work, comes to a similar conclusion and states reasons for it, in which I, perhaps, may be allowed, however humbly, to participate1. I now, therefore, submit to the public, what I conceive to be the true theory of human increase, aware that it will meet an opposition proportionate to the avidity with which the contrary notion has been received; and that it will have to encounter objections of the most varied, as well as opposite nature. Indeed, it has been already observed upon the principle, when merely enunciated in a foregoing work, that it is erroneous, -that it is old,-that it is new,-that it is whimsical and curious. I am not, however, discouraged. Similar objections were anticipated by the authority just referred to, even regarding his own principles,-" In diversas censuras incur"sura: alia scilicet quod sint dudum peracta, et 1 Decrevit prima quæque, quæ perficere licuit, in publicum edere. Neque hæc festinatio ambitiosa fuit, sed solicita; ut si quid illi humanitus accideret, extaret tamen designatio quædam, ac destinatio rei, quam animo complexus est: utque extaret simul signum aliquod honestæ suæ et propensæ in generis humani commoda voluntatis. Certe aliam quamcunque ambitionem inferiorem duxit re quam præ manibus habuit; aut enim hoc, quod agitur, nihil est: aut tantum, ut merito ipso contentum esse debeat, nec fructum extra quærere.-Bacon, Instaur. Mag. "jam extent; alia quod curiositatem sapiant, et "fructum promittant perexilem; alia quod nimis "ardua existant, et fere impossibilia quæ ab ho"minibus absolvantur." Many, however, I cannot but hope, will receive the Principle now set forth, as consolatory to their best feelings, and in accordance with their most sacred duties, and that it will, therefore, meet with powerful advocates; but how feebly soever supported, or by whomsoever opposed, if true, it will finally prevail, and its triumphs will be those of humanity. These hopes were my encouragement in undertaking a subject necessarily laborious, and, in all respects, uninviting; and now that I have so far completed it, notwithstanding the inadequate manner in which I am conscious I have executed my intention, and the imperfection which will be but too apparent throughout, they constitute my reward. I have erected an altar in haste, indeed, and of rude, but I trust imperishable, materials; some happier hand may, perhaps, give it ornament and proportion, and render it less unworthy of the spirit of philanthropy, to which it is humbly consecrated. VI. Of the Condition on which the Means of Subsistence VII. Of the Precedence of Population to Production, and its beneficial Effects on the Character and Condition VIII. Of the Precedence of Population to Production, as a main Cause of Peopling the Earth; with Remarks XI. Of Ancient Greece. The Checks to Population proved to be unnecessary and pernicious in that XII. Of the Wars and Irruptions on the Roman Empire: XIII. Of the Wars and Irruptions on the Roman Empire: Of the Opinions of the Philosophers and Legis- lators of Antiquity concerning the Priniple of Of the Opinions of the Philosophers and Legis- lators of Antiquity concerning the Principle of XVI. Of the remaining direct Checks to Population 233 250 273 283 OF THE THEORY OF HUMAN SUPERFECUNDITY: ITS PRINCIPLE, AS II. Of the Erroneousness of the supposed Facts and Deductions relative to particular States of America, on which the Geometric Theory is founded. Table I. Shewing the Difference between the Geometrie and the . 401 IV. Of the Amount of the early Population of the North VI. Of Emigration to North America. Its Historical VIII. Of Emigration to North America, proved by sundry Table II. Bills of Mortality in Philadelphia, in North America, from the Years 1738 to 1744 inclusive. III. Bills of Mortality in Philadelphia, in North America, IX. Of Emigration to North America, proved from the Censuses of the United States generally, as divided Table IV. Shewing the Number of Emigrants existing in the United States, calculated on a comparison of the Census of 1820 with those of the different Countries specified. X. Of Emigration to North America, proved by the Law of Mortality, as applied to the Numbers in successive XI. Of Emigration to North America, proved by its Effects on the relative Numbers of the different Sexes and Ages, in the Censuses of the various States. Table V. Shewing the Proportionof the Numbers of each Sex, at the Age specified, in every 20,000 of the Population of England, VI. Shewing the Proportionate Numbers of each Sex, at the Ages specified, in every 20,000 of the Free Coloured and Free White Population of the United States. VII. Shewing the Existence and Extent of Emigration to the United States of America, from its Effects on the relative Numbers of the Sexes and their Ages, in the Censuses of those States and Territories where it prevails. Table VIII. From Dr. Barton, exhibiting the Differences in the Decrease of Life generally, according to Buffon: and also in the Town of Northampton, and Country Parish of Holy Cross, in England; and the Town of Salem in Massachusetts, North America, calculated on 1000 inhabitants. IX. Shewing the Bills of Mortality of the Cities of Balti- more, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, for the Year 1814; |