About this book
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
Page 13
LETTER II.
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 17
LETTER III.
On the Importance of studying Nature and Human Life, with
the belief that Divine Plans and Purposes have always ac-
companied them
24
LETTER IV.
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
28
LETTER V.
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
32
LETTER VI.
Statement of the Theory of Mr. Malthus on Population.-Ob-
servations upon it.-Mr. Sadler's contrary Views
40
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
58
LETTER IX.
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
65
LETTER X.
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 74
LETTER XI.
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
Females in various Populations
84
LETTER XII.
The Proportion of Births to Marriages.-The Variation in dif- ferent Countries.-The established Limits to these and usual
Laws 98
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 - 130
LETTER XVI.
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 XVII.
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 153
LETTER XIX.
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
176
LETTER XXI.
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
LETTER XXII.
The AGED Class of Society considered.-State and Proportion
of them in England and Wales.-Review of their Character,
Position, and Utilities in the Living World Page 202
LETTER XXIII.
Great Longevity one Part of the Plan, and one of the Laws o
Human Life.-Its existence in Antiquity, and in all Periods
of the World, down to our own Times.-The most remarka-
ble Instances of it in the last two Centuries -
211
LETTER XXIV.
Longevity made a Natural Property of Human Nature.-At
present increasing in frequency.-Not attended naturally with
Decay of Faculties.-Instances of its Efficiency.-Distin-
guished Men among the Ancients who were Aged
223
LETTER XXV.
Further Instances showing that Longevity has been and may
be a pleasurable and efficient State.-Facts as to the Diet
which Long-livers have used.-Cornaro's Experience.-Ob-
servations on our own Power of obtaining it
235
LETTER XXVI.
Dotage and Disability of Mind or Body no necessary Compan-
ion of Longevity.-Continuity of existence anywhere can be
no Prejudice to an Immortal Soul.-The Divine Plan of
Human Life and Revelation is founded on its being Immor-
tal and Improveable 247
LETTER XXVII.
Inquiry into the State of the Mind at the time of our earthly
Death, and on the Indications then given of the Immortality
of its Nature.-Illustrative Incidents from the Dying Moments
of many Persons more or less distinguished
253
LETTER XXVIII.
Mankind have been created on the Principle that Subsistence
should be essential to them.-Instances showing that this was
not an indispensable Condition of Human Existence.-But,
having been made the Law of it, we may be certain always
of a sufficient Supply
271
