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the Turkish dominions and Persia.

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the number of the Mahometans have decreased, this cause alone is adequate to the effect,; and that things going on in their present train, the Turkish population will be extinct in another century. But this inference, and the calculations which relate to it, are without doubt erroneous. The increase of population in the intervals of these periods of mortality is probably greater than he is aware of. At the same time it must be remarked that in a country where the industry of the husbandman is confined to the supply of his necessary wants, where he sows only to prevent himself from starving, and is unable to accumulate any surplus produce, a great loss of people is not easily recovered, as the natural effects from the diminished numbers cannot be felt in the same degree as in countries where industry prevails, and property is secure.

According to the Persian legislator, Zoroaster, to plant a tree, to cultivate a field, to beget children are meritorious acts; but it appears from the account of travellers, that many among the lower classes of people cannot easily attain the latter species of merit; and in this instance as in num

1 Eton's Turkish Emp. c. vii. p. 291..

* Id. p. 280.

Of the checks to population in

berless others, the private interest of the individual corrects the errors of the legislator. Sir John Chardin says, that matrimony in Persia is very expensive and that only men of estates will venture upon it, lest it prove their ruin.' The Russian travelaccount, and observe

lers seem to confirm this that the lower classes of the people are obliged to defer marriage till late; and that it is only among the rich that this union takes place early.2

The dreadful convulsions to which Persia has been continually subject for many hundred years must have been fatal to her agriculture. The periods of repose from external wars and internal commotions have been short and few, and even during the times of profound peace, the frontier provinces have been constantly subject to the ravages of the Tartars.

The effect of this state of things is such as might be expected. The proportion of uncultivated to cultivated land in Persia, Sir John Chardin states to be ten to one; 3 and the mode in which the of ficers of the Shah and private owners let out their

1 Sir John Chardin's Travels. Harris' Collect. b. iii.

c. ii. p. 870.

2 Découv. Russ. tom. ii. p. 293.

3 Chardin's Travels. Harris' Collect, b. iii. c. ii. p. 902

the Turkish dominions and Persia.

lands to husbandmen is not. that which is best calculated to reanimate industry. The grain in Persia is besides much subject to be destroyed by hail, droughts, locusts, and other insects,' which probably tends rather to discourage the employment of capital in the cultivation of the soil.

The plague does not extend to Persia; but the small-pox is mentioned by the Russian travellers as making very fatal ravages.

2

It will not be worth while to enter more minutely on the checks to population in Persia, as they seem to be nearly similar to those which have been just described in the Turkish dominions. The superior destruction of the plague, in Turkey, is perhaps nearly balanced by the greater frequency of internal commotions in Persia.

1 Chardin's Travels. Harris' Collect. b. iii. c. ii. p. 902. 2 Découv. Russ. tom. ii. p. 377.

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CHAPTER XI.

Of the Checks to Population in Indostan and Tibet.

IN the ordinances of Menu, the Indian legislator, which Sir Wm. Jones has translated and called the Institutes of Hindu Law, marriage is very greatly encouraged, and a male heir is considered as an object of the first importance.

"By a son a man obtains victory over all peo"ple; by a son's son he enjoys immortality; and "afterwards by the son of that grandson he reach"es the solar abode."

"Since the son delivers his father from the "hell, named Put, he was therefore called puttra, "by Brahma himself."1

Among the different nuptial rites, Menu has ascribed particular qualities to each.

1 Sir Wm. Jones' Works, vol. iii. c. ix. p. 354. Speaking of the Indian laws, the Abbé Raynal says, "La popu"lation est un devoir primitif, un ordre de la nature si "sacré, que la loi permet de tromper, de mentir, de se "parjurer pour favoriser un marriage." Hist. des Indes, tom. i. l. i. p. 81. 8vo. 10 vols. Paris 1795.

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Of the checks to population, &c.

“A son of a Bráhmì, or wife by the first ceremony, redeems from sin, if he perform virtuous acts, ten ancestors, ten descendants, and himself, "the twenty-first person."

"A son born of a wife by the Daiva nuptials "redeems seven and seven, in higher and low"er degrees; of a wife by the Arsha, three and "three; of a wife by the Prájápatya, six and "six."1

A housekeeper is considered as of the most eminent order. "The divine sages, the manes, "the gods, the spirits, and guests, pray for be"nefits to masters of families." An elder brother not married before the younger, is mentioned among the persons who are particularly to be shunned. 3

Such ordinances would naturally cause marriage to be considered as a religious duty; yet it seems to be rather a succession of male heirs, than a very numerous progeny, that is the object so much desired.

"The father having begotten a son discharges "his debt to his own progenitors."

'Sir Wm. Jones' Works, vol. iii. c. iii. p. 124.
2 Id. p. 130.

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