The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-11-05
POPULATION OF INposrAN.

The /" principle OF population" as it is tech
ncay called has been for the fri time unolded in
many of it's details, by the celebrated Nautilus. In
his late elay its pai and preient effects on hu-
man happnefs" he has collected n,ore facts on the
nate of population in different countries and the ct
feels which produces in the condition OF iocety than
ali the other writers, who have Profeifedly touched
upon this fubjeet, put together. His fundamental
principle is that population is continually tending to
increafe beyond the means of fuaiittence. Man is
fuppoed to double his every % years. The pro-
e1se Of tie Earth, the mott favorable calculation
is uppoied by Nautilus to increaie every % years.
BY quantity only equal TO what the Earth at preient
produces. Tine human increafes, therefore, in
geometrical ratio; while the means of fabhltenGe
iuppoed, under circumstances the mott favoura-
BILE to human niuitry, increaie faiter than in
an arithinetical ratio In other words, the human
fp.cies would increafe theiumbers l, 9, 4, 8, 10
and iubhRence as /, Q, 8, 4, 5. In two centuries
the population would be to the means of fubhtence
ESQ TO 9 in three centuries as 4o96 to- ls, and
twothouiand years, Oberves Malthus the difference
would he an,otf incalculable.
Having thus eltablhed his favourite and fumda-
mental principle, that the gererative principle of
is hyperion TO the productive power of tile earth,
author proceeds to enquire into the of thoie
checks to population ' which confantly operat-
ing with lsfs force in every fociety aud keep
down the number to the level Of the means Of fub-
httence." Thefe checks he reduces to two general
claiies the preventive and the pofitive. The very
name points out their REFLECTIVE qualities. The
preveptve thoie which prevent the efficient
che OF the generative power in other words, pre-
vent human being from coming into life. The ps-
!'se rethOie which contribute to ihorten the duration
Of human life in other words put amend to thoe
who have actually come intoexifence. The pre~en-
tive Checks are either that calculating prudence
which prevents from marrying, when he finds
hhnfef incompetent to fupport family in proper
manner, or that prOmiicuous intercourse which
companies life OF celibacy or the violation of the
marriage bed. The poiitve checks, various,
as the means and nitruments of defruetion. All
theie obttaces to the ncreale of population which
he caies under the heads OF preventive and poitive
checks, appear Nautilus to be finally receivable
into s7or~i re!7rainf, pic. and mifely.
Having developed the operation Of thele caufes
our author proceeds trace their application
To different countries and different fages of lociety
and theinfuence which they maybe expected to exert
upon the future prripetfs of civilization. His opin-
ions on theie various points emnently worthy
of the mott profound attention. They occupy quar-
TO volume Of 600 pages; and fcarcely con-
eeive that any politician aipire this time of
day To the character attainments If an enlightened
philosopher who has not given his days and hi.
nights" TO the clay of Nautilus.
The following addreis from the pen of Mr.. Me
lntoih, contains certain views the population Of
lndoilan, which be indifferent 10 the uquii-
tive ooierver. Much as has been faid and deicrved-
Iy too, Of the efeas of Brtilh ambition s. Brth tyra-
nyin he Eat Indies, cannotrefufe them ome credit
forthe have indre Sly contribute
TO nake,for the preiervation of its oppreed inha-
biiants. The various improvements which they have
introduced into the agriculture and of thar
sountry, may yer have atoned for the injuries
which they have inflicted; but no man will pretend
TO deny that if ever the expected time Mould arrive
when the nations Of Indoifan fall refume their indie
pendent government, humanity will finally rejoice at
the iettlements of the Europeans in the EAT Indies
The value of the end will more than expiate the
Means which were uied for its attainment
1t salnoif upnecefiary TO ob1erve that Mr. Min
toih is the author OF lie Vipdicia Gallicss the nof
ei'quent and celebrated reply Edmund Burkes let
ter on the iubecf OF the French Revolnsion Alarm
ed by the force and deination of his genos the Bri
I'm n,In'ftry thorght proper banh him from the
o9of iaoPs and lecture rooms of London to an ingIo
rioas judgeihiP in the Indies.