most all the opuntias of the southern of Lot. These patriarchs had flocks, peninsula of India. herds, and tents, which increased It is impossible to conceive a fact progressively, till the land was not more illustrative of the axiom in able to bear them. Emigration was question, than this rapid increase of the consequence; and Lot, finding the insect, to which we are indebted the plain of Jordan well watered and for our scarlet die.

unoccupied, took possession. Gen. 13. Had this plain been occupied, and no other pasture land unoccupied, he would have sought a settlement by arms.

The subject is important, and cannot be too much attended to, in order to remove our prejudices and to establish just principles of political ecoDomy. I must therefore intreat my Among the Tartar hordes, as readers to consider what is related of among the Kalmucks, the Mongols, the dogs in Turkey. They are no the Buriates, and the Kinguir Cosman's property, nor are they per- sacks, a mortal enmity subsists, chemitted to enter the habitation of a rished incessantly by want of more Turk, but range the streets in perfect extensive pastures to meet their inliberty. Here their numbers are li- crease of population. For this reamited, by the quantity of food they son, they have, from time to time, may chance to meet with, either in sent out numerous swarms to the the streets or in the burying grounds. southern provinces of Europe, and of Their provision is therefore scanty, Asia, and even of North America. and they appear half starved. In When nomade nations turn to agrisome quarters of the towns they, for culture, the boundaries of famine are a time, enjoy a more ample supply immediately removed, the fruits of by the charity of such Turks as, by the earth become abundant, and the will, have left legacies to feed the population hastens to keep pace with dogs which frequent their districts. In these the dogs become more numerous, and bear exact proportion to their increase of food.

this increase of food. Under tillage, five acres of good land may be sufficient for one family. Therefore the population of a country may arrive In the human race the same law at this proportion without suffering prevails. Hence it is, that hunting want. Beyond this proportion the nations are the most limited in num- inhabitants feel a pressure, which bers. Dr. Franklin informed Dr. they become impatient to remove. Darwin, that one family requires a Not therefore finding sufficient alicircle of five miles diameter, that is ment for the increasing multitude, 16,000 acres, to supply itself with they have constantly invaded with an game. To relieve their wants, as armed force the possessions of their their numbers increase, they never neighbours. fail to make encroachments on the Thus, about two centuries after the hunting ground of the surrounding Israelites had established themselves nations. Hence their wars are fre- in Canaan, the Midianites and Amaquent and bloody. Of such con- lekites came upon them like locusts, flicts we have in our island a memorable example upon record, in the well-known song of Chevy Chase. In North America, the various nations, which inhabit those extensive wastes, have no other cause for war. Nomade nations may be more numerous than hunters, because their food is more abundant. Thirty acres in pasture will yield more sustenance than 16,000 acres allotted to the chace. Yet even nomade nations In the present day, the Tatars of feel themselves straitened, and strive Ufa and the Bashkirs, who live by incessantly to extend their pastures. tillage, when they have exhausted This proved a source for strife be- the soil in one district, wander in tween the herdsmen of Abraham and search of more fertile spots, that they

both they and their camels without number to devour the fruits of the earth, leaving no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass, (Judg. vi, 1—4.)

In the result the invading army lost 120,000 men, who drew the sword. (Judg. viii. 10). Thus their numbers were diminished, and this was precisely the same as if their food had been increased.

may find provisions for their increas- be cast on a desert island, the man ing multitudes. (Pallas Voyage, Tom. aged 21, the woman 19. Of their II. p. 6 & 86.) offspring let us suppose four to live A curious fact has been recorded for breeding stock, two boys and two by Clavigero, a native of Mexico. girls. And, in conformity to this He informs us, that Anahuac was statement, each successive couple peopled first by the Chiapanese, then may have a like number of children A. D. 648, by the Toltecas, after they allotted to them. We shall suppose had wandered 134 years. These these to live, on the average, sixty tribes were succeeded by the Cheche- years; but our calculation will not be mecas, A.D. 1170. Eight years after much affected should we give them this came the Nahuattacas, conducted only fifty years. After the example by their chiefs; then the Acolhuas; of their progenitors, the men are to and finally, twenty years after them, marry at 21, the women at 19. the Mexicans. These last, in their Now, on these suppositions, we peregrinations, arrived A. D. 1196, at shall have, at the end of sixty-seven Tula, where they remained nine years, twenty-four persons; but in years. From thence they removed 129 they will be 208, that is, they to Trompanco, and A. D. 1245 to will be found at this time to have Chapoltepec. In 1262, they came doubled their numbers nearly every to Acolco, in 1314 to Colhuacan, and fifteen years. about A. D. 1325, they laid the foun- It is remarkable, that the Israelites dation of their city. in Egypt doubled their

numbers

It appears by the most authentic every twenty-seven years. records, that all nations have increased Wargentín makes a calculation, their population to the full extent of that Adam and Eve, before their their ability to feed their increasing death, might have seen two hundred numbers; after which, when occasion and fifty millions of their offspring. offered, they issued forth to seek new (Act. Stock 1755, p. 11.) settlements by arms.

Supposing this offspring to have From Cæsar's Commentaries, we doubled every twenty years, in six learn that all the irruptions of the hundred years they would have been Gauls originated in want of food. two thousand millions; so rapid is They increased and multiplied, till the progress of population. they felt themselves straitened and But still the population of every distressed for want of sustenance; and country will find limits, because the then they issued forth in search of quantity of food is limited. more extensive boundaries, or more In my observations on the Poor fertile lands. From the year of Rome Laws, published in the year 1785, 365, to the year 700, they were de- and in my Spanish Travels, I endeafeated more than sixteen times by the voured to establish the principles of Romans, and lost in battle more than population, and to point out the one million of their men. The end usual causes of depopulation. they aimed at, however, was attained, because by the diminution of their numbers the proportion of food for the survivors was increased.

[To be concluded in our next.]

On the ORIGIN of LANGUAGE.
SIR,

IT

In favourable circumstances, the T has long been disputed, and as a human species doubles its numbers subject not susceptible of demonin given periods. In Europe, it has stration must ever continue to be so, been said by our best writers on po- whether language be of divine or hu litical economy, it requires five hun- man origin? It is a topic which has dred years to double the population. employed the ingenuity of many; But, in the back settlements of Ame- and every one has imagined his own rica, where all have plenty of provi- theory to be right. Amidst such a sions, and where consequently most diversity of opinions, and merely as a people marry young, the inhabitants matter of speculation, perhaps the double their numbers in fifteen years. following theory may not be unwor To understand this matter, let us thy of your attention. suppose one miale and one female to original in one sense I can safely

That it is

aver, for I have never seen the idea in any writer: but that no other writer has had the same thoughts I am not so well prepared to affirm.

by habits. How, otherwise, can it be that a mountain or a river divides two nations that have no one point in common?

The most general idea is, that lan- Such, Sir, is the rude outline of guage is the gift of the creator; but an idea, upon which I could build an then it has been found impossible to extensive theory: its obvious simconceive how language could have be- plicity is such, that it may perhaps come general, unless we suppose that have suggested itself to others; but God bestowed distinct languages upon as I before stated, at this moment I different nations. Society could not know of no competitor, and therefore precede language, for how could a it is my own. sufficient number of individuals be I remain, &c. influenced by that similarity of motive Ilchester, Feb. 9, 1808. and that correspondence necessary to induce them to coalesce? As a universal language therefore does not prevail, the variety of them may perhaps be accounted for in the following manner:

X. Y.

An AcCOUNT of the COMMERCE of
FRANCE with GERMANY, the Aus-
TRIAN POSSESSIONS in that Coun-
try and in FLANDERS, and with
POLAND and PRUSSIA.

A

T the conclusion of Louis XIV.'s

Mankind, in the primitive ages, were divided into distinct tribes or families, and as they lived by hunting from all these countries amounted to or pasturage they were, of course, the sum of nine million francs, difrequently separated from each other. vided into three grand classes, viz. Is it difficult to conceive that these 1st, Manufactures to the value of tribes, thus separated, would, each of 3,700,000 francs. 2dly, Raw matethem, form a rude kind of speech rials, 3,000,000. 3dly, Wines, eatenabling them to follow their pursuits ables, &c. 2,300,000 francs. At the with conveniency, and that they would time of the revolution the imports assign arbitrary denominations to the amounted to about 64 million francs, objects they most frequently saw or viz. 1st, Manufactured goods, such most frequently handled? But, as as linens and Flemish laces; ribbons, they were divided one from the other, mercery, and hardware, from Gerit is obvious they would differ great- many, 31 million. 2dly, Raw mately, if not entirely, in the conventional rials, especially coal, from Austrian terms which they had adopted to ex- Hainault; flax, hemp, and flax and press their ideas. Now, language hemp-seed, from Flanders; wool, being the great medium by which hu- hemp, copper, pewter, and pot-ash, man intercouse is carried on, these from Germany, Poland, and Prussia, different tribes or families having 19 million. 3dly, Vegetables, wines, thus created to themselves each their (those of the Rhine in particular) peculiar dialect, would find an insu- and German and Flemish cattle, perable bar to their future coalition: 13,700,000 francs. their language would necessarily dis- The exports for the said countries, unite them, and by degrees the idea at the end of the reign of Louis XIV. of association would be lost: each amounted to the sum of 14,100,000 tribe would intermarry with each francs, forming three classes, viz. other, enlarge its numbers, and pro- 1st, Manufactories 5,100,000 francs. pagate their own peculiar dialect: 2dly, Raw materials 2 million. 3dly, they would become more and more Wines, brandies, minerals, fruits, distinct from habits, customs, and &c. 7 million francs. At the time of manners, their own growth; and, at the revolution the exports were comlength, begin to view other tribes as puted at 95,600,000 francs, and may a different race of beings. Pursuing be divided into five classes, viz. 1st, this idea, I can imagine that I behold Manufactured articles, particularly in this early, though accidental sepa- silken stuffs, embroidered with gold ration of primitive mankind, the em- and silver for the sovereignties and bryos of kingdoms, discriminated as principalities of Germany and Poland; we now find them by language and and lawns and woollen stuffs for the

hereditary possessions of the House of certainty. Hence we are led to imaAustria in Germany and Flanders, to gine that France and Austria carried the value of 39,100,000 francs. 2dly, on in Flanders and Germany, a pretty Raw materials, such as wool and equal traffic. In fact, the Austrian coal, for Austrian Flanders and Ger- power possessed in the linen clothes many, to the value of 12,900,000 of Flanders a considerable advantage francs. 3dly, Wines and brandies for over France; but the latter made up Flanders, Germany, Poland, and for this by her supplies to Austria of Prussia, 10 million. 4thly, Colonial wines, brandies, and of colonial proproduce, such as sugar, coffee, &c. duce; the value of which latter is destined for the states of the House computed at 15 million francs anof Austria, and for the ports of the nually. It is however, certain that king of Prussia at the entrance of the French industry is not, nor ever has Baltic, 22 million. 5thly, Animals, been, materially benefited by the vegetables, and minerals, for Flanders commerce carried on with Austria. and Germany, 11 million francs. The traffic between Germany and

SIR,

GRAY and CICERO.

HE merits of Gray's poetry hav

From the foregoing analysis of their France is carried on by means of the
commerce, it will appear, that France rivers Rhine, Moselle, Meuse, &c.
derives the greatest advantage from through Alsace, and by way of Hol-
her intercourse with Germany and land and Prussia.
Poland, for to these countries the
French send the productions of their
own soil, and in return receive raw
materials, which afford subject for
the exercise of their industry, in ad- Ting been much agitated lately in
dition to which, a balance is paid to the pages of the Universal Magazine,
France of from 20 to 25 million permit me to point out the probable
francs per annum, in cash. This sum source of one of his most beautiful
only includes the balance paid by the images. In the" Progress of Poesy"
princes of Germany, Poland, and the are the following exquisite lines;
Austrian possessions; but the total speaking of Dryden's lyric produc-
balance paid to France by all the tions, he says,

countries of whose commerce we Hark! his hands the lyre explore!
treat, is computed at 31,600,000 Bright eyed fancy hovering o'er,
francs annually. There is every reason Scatters from her pictur'd urn
to think, that Prussia, which daily Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.
extends its maritime concerns, is the Cowley has a line,
carrier between Germany and France, "Words that weep, and tears that speak,”
supplying the former with the wines from which Gray has been said to
and colonial produce of the latter. borrow the idea in the last line of the
As to the hereditary possessions of above quotation; but I think we may
the house of Austria in Germany and trace it to a higher source; at least
Flanders, it is probable that the ex- one part. Gray was an enthusiastic
changes between them and France admirer of classical learning, and
are nearly on a footing of equality at from the expression "faces dicendi,"
this epoch, although the apparent re- of Cicero (Orat. ii. 5.) I think he
sult of the mutual traffic is, that borrowed his idea. Gray's phrase,
France is the debtor to the amount of indeed, may be considered as a beau
one or two million francs annually; tiful and poetical translation of that of
for it is to be remarked, that Joseph Cicero's.
II. eager for every kind of success, Permit me, Mr. Editor, to take this
rigorously prohibited the importation opportunity of returning my thanks
of foreign manufactures. In conse- for your insertion of my letter respect-
quence of this prohibition, the French ing the word " furrow," in the above
Commerce with the states of that author. It has produced several letters
monarch, for some time was carried from your intelligent correspondents:
on in an oblique direction, and the but Metaphor in your last number,
result was that the real balance exist- has clearly, though ironically, illus-
ing between the two countries could trated the passage and cleared every
not be ascertained with any degree of difficulty. I can forgive him the sar-

casm contained in his first paragraph, to answer that book was out of his in consideration of the acquisition of power, and out of any man's, for it a new idea. He has satisfied me as was formed upon eternal truth; that to the meaning of Gray; but I am it had convinced him of his error; still persuaded that the word furrow and that so thoroughly was he has some local or provincial meaning, impressed with a sense of the impordistinct from its usual one. About tance of his maker's favour, that he that, however, I am not now very so- would willingly give up all acquisilicitous. Gray is vindicated from er- tions of knowledge, and all hopes of ror, and I hope Mr. Park will see the of fame, and live in a wilderness unletter of Metaphor, and be ashamed known, till death, so he could insure of his own error, in wantonly substi- an inheritance in heaven. tuting another word in his edition of the poets, without assigning any reason for the alteration.

I remain, &c.

Bath, Feb. 7, 1808.

H. G.

MEMOIRS of HENRY KIRKE WHITE. [Concluded from p. 35.]

From this time religion occupied much of his attention; and as a person of his ardent temperament could embrace nothing cold, he soon be came enthusiastic upon the subject. His letters are full of piety; in some instances, indeed, they struck us as being tinctured with a certain religiTHE HE poems, however, which had ous cant, which seems to be inseparabeen thus condemned, attracted ble from an inordinate adoption of rethe notice of Mr. Southey; and some ligious ideas. Henry now resolved to of his friends, to whom he shewed give up all ideas of the law, and at all them, were also struck with their me- events, to become a minister of the rit, This induced Mr. Southey to gospel, if not of the established write to him a letter of encourage church, among the dissenters; but ment, and offering to assist him to the the former was his preference. He utmost of his power, should he print of course wished to place himself at another volume by subscription. This one of the Universities, if possible. letter Henry answered in a grateful The gentlemen to whom he was artimanner, and expressed to Mr. Southey cled, willingly and liberally consentall the grief and disappointment which ed to give him up the remainder of he felt at the cruel, unjust, and igno- his time (though he was now becomrant criticisms of the Monthly Re- ing of great use to them) whenever view. Henry knew not how little they saw a rational prospect of his ulinfluence reviews have with men of timate success in getting into one of real judgment; and fancying that the the Universities. After some exerMonthly, because the oldest, was tions the difficulties seemed so great therefore the best, he felt as if all his against him, that he finally relinquishhopes were cut off by its censure; but ed the hope of succeeding, and the Mr. Southey's kind and friendly as law became again his apparent destisurances revived them, and probably nation. To recover, therefore, the taught him to return to a proper esti- time that he had lost in preparing mation of his powers. himself for College, he returned with About this time Mr. Pigott, the cu- redoubled ardour to his legal studies; rate of St. Mary's, Nottingham, hear- he would not, he told his mother, “be ing that the bent of Henry's religious a mediocre attorney." This severe apopinions was towards deism, sent plication injured his health, for he him, by a friend, Scott's Force of scarcely allowed himself the needful Truth, and requested him to read it hours of rest; he became pale and attentively, which he promised to do. thin, and at length had a sharp fit of Having looked at the book, he told sickness. On his recovery he wrote the person who brought it to him, the following exquisitely beautiful that he could soon write an answer to lines in the church-yard of his fait; but about a fortnight afterwards, vourite village:

when this friend enquired how far he Here would I wish to sleep.-This is the had proceeded in his answer to Mr.

spot

Scott, Henry's reply was in a very dif- Which I have long mark'd out to lay my terent tone and temper. He said, that

bones in ;