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land ia the most virtuous and happy state in Europe , Russia one of the most miserable . And he contends , that this will ever hold good , until the earth is cultivated to its maximum . All this seems to be
countenanced by facts , and Dr . Purves is the pupil of facts . He does uot deny that the maximum of the cultivation of the earth mav come ; what then is to be done ? This he leaves , not wishing to run into hypothesis , but to confine himself to facts .
The Christian religion seems to allow the choice of marriage , but it enjoins industry , care , sobriety and every effort for the support of a family . These must never be separated . Every man ought to consider , that if he is
permitted to marry , he is not permitted to be idle . The question is , if all were to be thus virtuous , would the issue be still greater misery ? Yes , says Mr . Malthus—No , says Dr . Purves , at least not until the earth is cultivated to its maximum . And we
believe and hope that this is true . Undoubtedly those who live a life of virtuous celibacy areas respectable as the most exemplary amongst the married . Nature seems to give no privilege without a balancing trial . But
nature can exhibit no spectacle more horrible , than a married man or woman not careful about a provision for a family . Sloth , intemperance , vanity , in married life , are most dreadful crimes .
As to the question of cultivating the earth , that may be brought to its maximum now without much emigration . A market is only wanted to spread cultivation every where . No matter whether this be foreigu or domestic . Navigation is uniting all countries . America and England join ,
they are only divided by a distance of a fortnight ' s sail . Presently the time of the passage will be still less . Every thing points out this as not only possible , but certain . They say at Carlisle , that the landing of King William was not known there , till the lapse of a month after the event ! Consider
that the communication between London and Carlisle is now effected in forty-three hours . Population has done this . He who would understand , must read Malthus and Purves . Mr . Malthus says , that in animal nature , ( if we leave man out of the
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case , ) his principle is universally true , as all animals increase faster than subsistence . Dr . Purves answers , that the law of universal nature is , that one animal subsists upon another , and this law admitted , it is a contradiction
in terms to say that animals increase faster than subsistence , because their increase is to each other the increase of subsistence . This answer is certainly complete , and if Mr . Malthus could not see this , it maybe hoped that he is equally blind , as to many of the other parts of his gloomy and horrible system .
The great question is , can any degree of comfort and morality be made to unite in the system , of nature , as far as man is concerned ? Mr . Malthus s system renders this impossible ; Dr . Purves' system affirms its possibility , until the earth is cultivated to its
maximum . Not till then can it be necessary for man to destroy or devour man , for want of necessary subsistence , nor on the other hand to deny the rite of marriage , without the existence of which Mr . Malthus affirms that life would at best be ** a dreary blank . "
Of all subjects , let it be repeated , this is the most important , and Dr . Purves seems to be the only man yet qualified to discuss this subject with Mr . Malthus ; he is , therefore , again recommended to the attention of the reader .
It is evident , that the system of Mr . Malthus makes marriage a crime , and the greatest of crimes , as , according to him , it is necessarily connected with starvation , misery and murder . It is improper to introduce religion unnecessarily into this subject ; but if there
be revealed religion , forbidding mur ^ der , and if marriage leads directly to murder , why is that religion silent oa this head ? Moses was married , and did not prohibit it . The Christian religion originated in one of the most
populous regions of the earth at that time , for Juoea contained three or four millions of inhabitants , though it now does not contain three thousand , ac ^ cording to Volney , and yet marriage is permitted by this religion .
The fair conclusion is , that Mr . Malthus is either wiser or more humane than either Moses or Jesus Christ , or that , if he be les $ wise and less humane , liis system is erroneous .
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558 Gray versus Malthus * on Population .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1818, page 558, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2480/page/22/
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