The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-14


gam 1853 baronstces have become extinct. In fact,
the number of extinct baronetces were, Up to 1919,
more than the existing bafonets, which then were
only 6s5 Between i6ll and 1919, there were l3s
baronets made peers Supposing all these to re
main, (which ID not the case,I the number of eI-
isting baronets would be only 20 more than the
extinct families; 80 that, but for new creations,
hardly baronet would exist! This principle OF
decrease goes down to the middle ranks, among get
whom "good living" prevails. The bouugeoise Of
Berno, in Switzerland are cited az one proof of this
MALrHus states that, from 1883 to 1854 there were
admitted into council 4S7 families, of whom 379
were extinct in two centuries. The statistics OF
the free burgesses Of rich corporations in ngland
afford not lees striking evidence of the same truth
Taking the opposite direction, the author refers
to the history the settlement Of Pitcairns Island
in the Pacific ocean, as proof how rapidly low
feeding, exercise, and work increase the fertility
Of mankind. The settlement was foHnd in t19d BY
elk European mutineers, with ten Otaheitian f..
males. A few years ago they had grown into a
community of one hundred and eighty persons.
These persons had little or no animal food. They
lived on fish, yams, and wild BIRDS eggs.
The population of the Russian empire is, on the
whole, only l6l to the square mile. The Polish
population, which ia that of a corn country, where
animal food is much lees plentiful, is l,544 to the
square mile. China, where the inhabitants live
very meagrely, and where butchers meat is little
used except By the riiandarins and very rich, has
not less than 2.4O0 to the square league In Ben
gal. where rice is the food, the numbers are 2,l66
to the British square league. In Ireland, in 1921
there were 1891 to the square league. In France,
the population varies with the riches and poverty
of the districts. In Brittany, which is poor de-
partment the population ia l,4l4 to the square
league. In Langueaos. which Is wealthy, the pop
ulation is only 9SS to the same space. In Italy,
which is a less wealthy country than France, the
population ia generally denser. Tuscany. how
ever, has but l,l6l, Piedmont 1850, and the fine
Island of Sardinia but AS to the square league.
Spain, which teens with natural wealth, where the
olive and grape are luturiant, and wher5 cattle
abound has $50 persons only to the square league,
whilst Portugal has 653. In Belgium, which is
rich and cultivated like garden, the people are
800 to the sduare league, though there are no
wastes. Denmark, where animal food is eaten u
considerable extent, especially in winter, the
people are SIT to the square league only. lnSpan.
ish America, population is stationary.
A mass of minor facts, tending to the same con-
cusion, are brought together by the author. Thus
it is shown that in England, when living is cheap
and food plentiful marriages increase but are fol-
lowed by fewer births On the contrary, when
food is dear, marriages decrease, yet the births
blowing are increased. II ia also proved, by
means of a curious table drawn up by DR.. GRAN
VILE and Mr.. FiNLAYsoN, that the postponement
of marriage increases the rapidity of births. Fe-
males who marry before twenty four years of age,
on the average, only bear a child once in two
Years those who marry al thirty seven have, on
the average, child every year.
Some historical difficulties bearing upon this
question are the subject Of very interesting chap
ter in the work before US. The first ia the fact,
hitherto accounted 30 extraordinary, of the visible
decrease in the English population for q century
and half after the year 1850. OF this fact the
statutes of the period afford undeniable evidence,
as some of them recite The decay of towns all
the country. The author explains the circum.
stance by citing other statutes, which chow the
solid and luxurious way in which the people then
lved-animal food being their ordinary diet, with
beer and wine, and but few vegetables. Other
statutes were intended to regulate wages and
dress; then very eaorbitant and costly: This por-
ton Of the chapter affords the fullest proofs of the
reat diffused wealth and comfort of the English
people, during this period and long before. In a
postscript to the second edition. the author exhib
its the great difuson of property anterior to the
Protestant reformation, by reference to the militia
ry codes of those times. Elsewhere he shows
that ns the English population has increased tho
use of animal food has decreased, and potato
diet taken it's place. The use of malt liquor has
decreased during the same period.
Mr.. DOUBLEDAY attempts to show that the cause
of the great movement westward, which overturned
the Roman empire, originated in the growth of
the rice-fed population of China, Cochin China,
Hindostan, and other realms in Central India,
which first pushed the Goths and Vandals, and
lastly the Huns-who came from the borders of
China, and were Calmacks-upon the empire Of
Rome in Europe and Asia. He proves, we think,
that Spain, Italy, and Greece were far more popu-
lous prior to the Roman dominion than afterwards.
This was whilst they devastated each others lands
by constant wars, which tho Roman dominion
Quoted. Agriculture was sedulously encouraged,
and the consequence, after some centuries, was
plenty, with thinner population.
We have not space to follow the author into tho
medical, physiological, and chemical facts and
reasonings which he has presented in support of
his theory. Some of these are very curious, and
are suggestive of further novel and deeply interest
ing inquiries.
The general conclusions arrived at in the work
are held to indicate the moral and retributive
ture of this claw" as an instrument in the hands
of an ailwise and merciful and just Creator. 1t
follows, from the operation of this claw, that if a
people are much oppressed by fiscal severity, or
by any great tyranny that produces general want,
their numbers 30 increase that at least they be.
come too strong for the oppressor, and revenge
their own wrongs, and redress them, by improving
their own condition. 1t is shown, on the other
hand, that where people are too luxurious, the
ruling and influential classes become too few and
weak to preserve order. The State falls into the
hands of mercenaries, and is often finally sub.
verted. In another respect, the operation of the
CLAW" is bencfcent. 1t redresses that inequality
which places property in the grasp of few fami-
lies. They invariably die out; and the property
passes into other hands. Thus, the children Of the
poor are, in the long run, the heirs of the rich
Estates cannot be kept IN families. They all, in
time, lose their linea claimants and go to stran-
gers, who have arisen from the laboring ranks
and who quit them, after come gener atoms, in
turn. " ..ruE-
A BENEvoLEsr BANxER.--Thc Stnunton Eva. J
Spectator states that Mr.. Corcoran, the wealthy
Washington banker, was recently informed by the
lady philanthropist, Miss Dix, ofthe destitute
dillon of deaf and dumb orphan girl Of Washing.
L. ~ l., a.