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that permitted the exposing of children；＇115＇ this was； without doubt； an abuse introduced towards the decline of the republic； when luxury robbed them of their freedom； when wealth divided was called poverty； when the father believed that all was lost which he gave to his family； and when this family was distinct from his property。
23。 Of the State of the World after the Destruction of the Romans。 The regulations made by the Romans to increase the number of their citizens had their effect while the republic； in the full vigour of her constitution； had nothing to repair but the losses she sustained by her courage； by her intrepidity； by her firmness； her love of glory and of virtue。 But soon the wisest laws could not re…establish what a dying republic； what a general anarchy； what a military government； what a rigid empire； what a proud despotic power； what a feeble monarchy； what a stupid； weak； and superstitious court had successively pulled down。 It might； indeed； be said that they conquered the world only to weaken it； and to deliver it up defenceless to barbarians。 The Gothic nations； the Getes； the Saracens and Tartars by turns harassed them； and soon the barbarians had none to destroy but barbarians。 Thus； in fabulous times； after the inundations and the deluge； there arose out of the earth armed men； who exterminated one another。
24。 The Changes which happened in Europe with regard to the Number of the Inhabitants。 In the state Europe was in one would not imagine it possible for it to be retrieved； especially when under Charlemagne it formed only one vast empire。 But by the nature of government at that time it became divided into an infinite number of petty sovereignties； and as the lord or sovereign； who resided in his village or city； was neither great； rich； powerful； nor even safe but by the number of his subjects； every one employed himself with a singular attention to make his little country flourish。 This succeeded in such a manner that notwithstanding the irregularities of government； the want of that knowledge which has since been acquired in commerce； and the numerous wars and disorders incessantly arising； most countries of Europe were better peopled in those clays than they are even at present。
I have not time to treat fully of this subject； but I shall cite the prodigious armies engaged in the Crusades； composed of men of all countries。 Puffendorf says that in the reign of Charles IX there were in France twenty millions of men。
It is the perpetual reunion of many little states that has produced this diminution。 Formerly； every village of France was a capital； there is at present only one large one。 Every part of the state was a centre of power； at present all has a relation to one centre； and this centre is in some measure the state itself。
25。 The same Subject continued。 Europe； it is true； has for these two ages past greatly increased its navigation； this has both procured and deprived it of inhabitants。 Holland sends every year a great number of mariners to the Indies； of whom not above two…thirds return； the rest either perish or settle in the Indies。 The same thing must happen to every other nation concerned in that trade。
We must not judge of Europe as of a particular state engaged alone in an extensive navigation。 This state would increase in people； because all the neighbouring nations would endeavour to have ashare in this commerce； and mariners would arrive from all parts。 Europe； separated from the rest of the world by religion；＇116＇ by vast seas and deserts； cannot be repaired in this manner。
26。 Consequences。 From all this we may conclude that Europe is at present in a condition to require laws to be made in favour of the propagation of the human species。 The politics of the ancient Greeks incessantly complain of the inconveniences attending a republic； from the excessive number of citizens； but the politics of this age call upon us to take proper means to increase ours。
27。 Of the Law made in France to encourage the Propagation of the Species。 Louis XIV appointed particular pensions to those who had ten children； and much larger to such as had twelve。＇117＇ But it is not sufficient to reward prodigies。 In order to communicate a general spirit； which leads to the propagation of the species； it is necessary for us to establish； like the Romans； general rewards； or general penalties。
28。 By what means we may remedy a Depopulation。 When a state is depopulated by particular accidents； by wars； pestilence； or famine； there are still resources left。 The men who remain may preserve the spirit of industry； they may seek to repair their misfortunes； and calamity itself may make them become more industrious。 This evil is almost incurable when the depopulation is prepared beforehand by interior vice and a bad government。 When this is the case； men perish with an insensible and habitual disease； born in misery and weakness； in violence or under the influence of a wicked administration； they see themselves destroyed； and frequently without perceiving the cause of their destruction。 Of this we have a melancholy proof in the countries desolated by despotic power； or by the excessive advantages of the clergy over the laity。
In vain shall we wait for the succour of children yet unborn to re…establish a state thus depopulated。 There is not time for this； men in their solitude are without courage or industry。 With land sufficient to nourish a nation； they have scarcely enough to nourish a family。 The common people have not even a property in the miseries of the country； that is； in the fallows with which it abounds。 The clergy； the prince； the cities； the great men； and some of the principal citizens insensibly become proprietors of all the land which lies uncultivated； the families who are ruined have left their fields； and the labouring man is destitute。
In this situation they should take the same measures throughout the whole extent of the empire which the Romans took in a part of theirs； they should practise in their distress what these observed in the midst of plenty； that is； they should distribute land to all the families who are in want； and procure them materials for clearing and cultivating it。 This distribution ought to be continued so long as there is a man to receive it； and in such a manner as not to lose a moment that can be industriously employed。
29。 Of Hospitals。 A man is not poor because he has nothing； but because he does not work。 The man who without any degree of wealth has an employment is as much at his ease as he who without labour has an income of a hundred crowns a year。 He who has no substance； and yet has a trade； is not poorer than he who； possessing ten acres of land； is obliged to cultivate it for his subsistence。 The mechanic who gives his art as an inheritance to his children has left them a fortune； which is multiplied in proportion to their number。 It is not so with him who； having ten acres of land； divides it among his children。
In trading countries； where many men have no other subsistence but from the arts； the state is frequently obliged to supply the necessities of the aged； the sick； and the orphan。 A well…regulated government draws th