PREFACE.

IN presenting the concluding volume History of the World to the public, the only to thank his readers for their favor tion of the preceding volumes, and hope that the following pages may b unsuitable companion to them. They views of the great subject which he de mit to the consideration of his younge ries; and his wishes will be fulfille gratification to himself, if they shall be to those whom he desires so much to a

Cottage, Winchmore Hill, Middlesex, 11th March, 1837.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

Recapitulation of the Objects of the former Letters.-Statement

of the Subjects intended to be considered in the present Se-

ries, and of the manner in which they will be treated

LETTER II.

Page 13

That our World has been made, and is conducted on an intelli-

gent Plan, and for intelligent Purposes, which we have the

Capacity to discover and understand

LETTER III.

17

On the Importance of studying Nature and Human Life, with

the belief that Divine Plans and Purposes have always ac-

companied them

LETTER IV.

24

The Plans of the Creator are adapted to the different Classes of

Things of which our World is composed.-The distinction of

these into material Substances, moving Powers, and living

Beings.-The Plans as to the Human Race different from

those of the rest of Nature

LETTER V.

28

The Invisible Agencies as certain as the Material Ones, both in

Life and Nature.-The Divine Agencies are of this Character.

-Change of the Divine Plan as to Human Population after

the Deluge, and in the abbreviation of Life

LETTER VI.

32

Statement of the Theory of Mr. Malthus on Population.-Ob

servations upon it.-Mr. Sadler's contrary Views

LETTER VII.

No visible or necessary Connexion in Nature between Popula-

tion and Vegetation.-The Relation is intellectual and artifi-

cial, arising from the Plan and Mind of the Creator.-America

no support to the Malthusian Ratio.-Countries resorted to by

Emigrants, or enlarged by Conquests, no Authorities for the

Laws of Natural Population.-Instances of this in Canada

and Russia
Page 47

LETTER VIII.

The State of the American Population from 1800 to 1830 un-

favourable to the Malthusian Theory

LETTER IX.

58

The experienced Increase shows the real Natural Laws, which

are not the same for every Period of Society.-State and

Progress of Population in England, Scotland, Ireland, France,

and some other Countries of Europe

LETTER X.

65

A Rule suggested, by which the Malthusian Ratio may be al-

ways tried.-Its Conditions have not occurred anywhere.-

The more probable Rate shown in the late Increases of our

own Population.-In Russia a similar Gradation.-Also in

Prussia and Lithuania

LETTER XI.

74

The Populations of the World are all in different States, which

imply different Laws acting in each. The three Elements of

Population are Marriages, Births, and Deaths, all linked and

adjusted to each other in the Plan and System of Creation.-

On the Ratio of Marriages, and of Married and Marriageable

Feinales in various Populations

LETTER XII.

84

The Proportion of Births to Marriages.-The Variation in dif-

ferent Countries.-The established Limits to these and usual

Laws

98

LETTER XIII.

The Laws of Death considered.-Their Adjustment to the Laws

of Birth.-Statement of their Rate and Proportions in differ-

ent Countries

111

LETTER XIV.

Limitations of Population produced by the Ordinary Laws of

Death-Statement of these as they occur in England and in

several other Countries
Page 123

LETTER XV.

Other Laws of Death-Mortality increases as Births increase.

-Apparent Connexion between the Times of their occurrence,

-Relations between Death and the Price of Food-Effects

of Climate and Soil-Results of Childbirth-Reflections on

Infant Deaths

LETTER XVI.

130

Sketches of the Plans and Principles on which Population has

been conducted, and of the Purposes which are effectuated

by it-it never has been injurious to Society
- 140

LETTER XVIL

Increasing Population may require some new Civil Regulations.

-Statement of the Natural Advantages from it.-It cannot

rise if there be not Food for it

147

LETTER XVIII

Further Considerations on the Benefits which arise from an

increasing Population

LETTER XIX.

153

Views of the State of the Living World in several Countries.-

The Comparative Proportion of their Inhabitants at the suc

ceeding Ages of Life.--The possible Longevity of Human

Nature, and Instances of it in various Parts of the World 164

LETTER XX.

The Natural Division of Population into Moieties of Youth and

Age in England-The settled Preponderance and Power of

the Elder-Effect of this established Arrangement.-Their

respective Operations on each other

LETTER XXI.

- 176

Sketch of the Plan on which the FEMALE WORLD appears to

have been arranged, qualified, and stationed.-The Effect of it

on Human Society

186