16。TheConcernoftheLegislatorinthePropagationoftheSpecies。
Regulationsonthenumberofcitizensdependgreatlyoncircumstances。
Therearecountriesinwhichnaturedoesall；thelegislatorthenhasnothingtodo。Whatneedisthereofinducingmenbylawstopropagationwhenafruitfulclimateyieldsasufficientnumberofinhabitants？
Sometimestheclimateismorefavourablethanthesoil；thepeoplemultiply，andaredestroyedbyfamine：thisisthecaseofChina。Henceafathersellshisdaughtersandexposeshischildren。InTonquin，[19]
thesamecausesproducethesameeffects；soweneednot，liketheArabiantravellersmentionedbyRenaudot，searchfortheoriginofthisintheirsentimentsonthemetempsychosis。[20]
Forthesamereason，thereligionoftheIsleofFormosadoesnotsufferthewomentobringtheirchildrenintotheworldtilltheyarethirty—fiveyearsofage：[21]thepriestess，beforethisage，bybruisingthebellyprocuresabortion。
17。OfGreeceandtheNumberofitsInhabitants。ThateffectwhichincertaincountriesoftheEastspringsfromphysicalcauseswasproducedinGreecebythenatureofthegovernment。TheGreekswereagreatnation，composedofcities，eachofwhichhadadistinctgovernmentandseparatelaws。TheyhadnomorethespiritofconquestandambitionthanthoseofSwitzerland，Holland，andGermanyhaveatthisday。Ineveryrepublicthelegislatorhadinviewthehappinessofthecitizensathome，andtheirpowerabroad，lestitshouldproveinferiortothatoftheneighbouringcities。[22]Thus，withtheenjoymentofasmallterritoryandgreathappiness，itwaseasyforthenumberofthecitizenstoincreasetosuchadegreeastobecomeburdensome。Thisobligedthemincessantlytosendoutcolonies，[23]and，astheSwissdonow，tolettheirmenouttowar。Nothingwasneglectedthatcouldhinderthetoogreatmultiplicationofchildren。
Theyhadamongthemrepublics，whoseconstitutionwasveryremarkable。
Thenationstheyhadsubduedwereobligedtoprovidesubsistenceforthecitizens。TheLaced？monianswerefedbytheHelotes，theCretansbythePeriecians，andtheThessaliansbythePenestes。Theywereobligedtohaveonlyacertainnumberoffreemen，thattheirslavesmightbeabletofurnishthemwithsubsistence。Itisareceivedmaximinourdays，thatitisnecessarytolimitthenumberofregulartroops：nowtheLaced？monianswereanarmymaintainedbythepeasants：itwasproper，therefore，thatthisarmyshouldbelimited；withoutthisthefreemen，whohadalltheadvantagesofsociety，wouldincreasebeyondnumber，andthelabourersbeoverloaded。
ThepoliticsoftheGreekswereparticularlyemployedinregulatingthenumberofcitizens。Platofixesthematfivethousandandforty，[24]andhewouldhavethemstoporencouragepropagation，aswasmostconvenient，byhonours，shame，andtheadviceoftheoldmen；hewouldevenregulatethenumberofmarriagesinsuchamannerthattherepublicmightberecruitedwithoutbeingovercharged。[25]
Ifthelawsofacountry，saysAristotle，forbidtheexposingofchildren，thenumberofthosebroughtforthoughttobelimited。[26]Iftheyhavemorethanthenumberprescribedbylaw，headvisestomakethewomenmiscarrybeforethefoetusbeformed。[27]
ThesameauthormentionstheinfamousmeansmadeuseofbytheCretanstopreventtheirhavingtoogreatanumberofchildren——aproceedingtooindecenttorepeat。
Thereareplaces，saysAristotleagain[28]wherethelawsgivetheprivilegeofbeingcitizenstostrangers，ortobastards，ortothosewhosemothersonlyarecitizens；butassoonastheyhaveasufficientnumberofpeoplethisprivilegeceases。ThesavagesofCanadaburntheirprisoners；butwhentheyhaveemptycottagestogivethem，theyreceivethemintotheirnation。
SirWilliamPetty，inhiscalculations，supposesthatamaninEnglandisworthwhathewouldsellforatAlgiers。[29]ThiscanbetrueonlywithrespecttoEngland。Therearecountrieswhereamanisworthnothing；thereareotherswhereheisworthlessthannothing。
18。OftheStateandNumberofPeoplebeforetheRomans。Italy，Sicily，AsiaMinor，Gaul，andGermanywerenearlyinthesamestateasGreece；
fullofsmallnationsthataboundedwithinhabitants，theyhadnoneedoflawstoincreasetheirnumber。
19。OftheDepopulationoftheGlobe。Alltheselittlerepublicswereswallowedupinalargeone，andtheglobeinsensiblybecamedepopulated：inordertobeconvincedofthis，weneedonlyconsiderthestateofItalyandGreecebeforeandafterthevictoriesoftheRomans。
\"Youwillaskme，\"saysLivy，[30]\"wheretheVolscicouldfindsoldierstosupportthewar，afterhavingbeensooftendefeated。Theremusthavebeenformerlyaninfinitenumberofpeopleinthosecountries，whichatpresentwouldbelittlebetterthanadesert，wereitnotforafewsoldiersandRomanslaves。\"
\"TheOracleshaveceased，\"saysPlutarch，\"becausetheplaceswheretheyspokearedestroyed。AtpresentwecanscarcelyfindinGreecethreethousandmenfittobeararms。\"
\"Ishallnotdescribe，\"saysStrabo，[31]\"Epirusandtheadjacentplaces，becausethesecountriesareentirelydeserted。Thisdepopulation，whichbeganlongago，stillcontinues；sothattheRomansoldiersencampinthehousestheyhaveabandoned。\"WefindthecauseofthisinPolybius，whosaysthatPaulus？milius，afterhisvictory，destroyedseventycitiesofEpirus，andcarriedawayahundredandfiftythousandslaves。
20。ThattheRomanswereundertheNecessityofmakingLawstoencouragethePropagationoftheSpecies。TheRomans，bydestroyingothers，werethemselvesdestroyed：incessantlyinaction，intheheatofbattle，andinthemostviolentattempts，theyworeoutlikeaweaponkeptconstantlyinuse。
Ishallnotherespeakoftheattentionwithwhichtheyappliedthemselvestoprocurecitizensintheroomofthosetheylost，[32]oftheassociationstheyenteredinto，theprivilegestheybestowed，andofthatimmensenurseryofcitizens，theirslaves。Ishallmentionwhattheydidtorecruitthenumber，notoftheircitizens，butoftheirmen；
andasthesewerethepeopleintheworldwhoknewbesthowtoadapttheirlawstotheirprojects，anexaminationoftheirconductinthisrespectcannotbeamatterofindifference。
21。OftheLawsoftheRomansrelatingtothePropagationoftheSpecies。TheancientlawsofRomeendeavouredgreatlytoincitethecitizenstomarriage。Thesenateandthepeoplemadefrequentregulationsonthissubject，asAugustussaysinhisspeechrelatedbyDio。[33]
DionysiusHalicarnassus[34]cannotbelievethatafterthedeathofthreehundredandfiveoftheFabii，exterminatedbytheVeientes，thereremainednomoreofthisfamilythanonesinglechild；becausetheancientlaw，whichobligedeverycitizentomarryandtoeducateallhischildren，wasstillinforce。[35]
Independentlyofthelaws，thecensorshadaparticulareyeuponmarriages，andaccordingtotheexigenciesoftherepublicengagedthemtoitbyshameandbypunishments。[36]
Thecorruptionofmannersthatbegantotakeplacecontributedvastlytodisgustthecitizenswithmarriage，whichwaspainfultothosewhohadnotasteforthepleasuresofinnocence。ThisisthepurportofthatspeechwhichMetellusNumidicus，whenhewascensor，madetothepeople：[37]\"Ifitwerepossibleforustodowithoutwives，weshoulddeliverourselvesfromthisevil：butasnaturehasordainedthatwecannotliveveryhappilywiththem，norsubsistwithoutthem，weoughttohavemoreregardtoourownpreservationthantotransientgratifications。\"
Thecorruptionofmannersdestroyedthecensorship，whichwasitselfestablishedtodestroythecorruptionofmanners：forwhenthisdepravationbecamegeneral，thecensorlosthispower。[38]
Civildiscords，triumvirates，andproscriptionsweakenedRomemorethananywarshehadhithertoengagedin。Theyleftbutfewcitizens，[39]andthegreatestpartofthemunmarried。Toremedythislastevil，C？sarandAugustusre—establishedthecensorship，andwouldevenbecensorsthemselves。[40]C？sargaverewardstothosewhohadmanychildren。[41]
Allwomenunderforty—fiveyearsofagewhohadneitherhusbandnorchildrenwereforbiddentowearjewelsortorideinlitters；[42]anexcellentmethodthustoattackcelibacybythepowerofvanity。ThelawsofAugustusweremorepressing；[43]heimposednewpenaltiesonsuchaswerenotmarried，[44]andincreasedtherewardsbothofthosewhoweremarriedandofthosewhohadchildren。TacituscallstheseJulianlaws；[45]toallappearancetheywerefoundedontheancientregulationsmadebythesenate，thepeople，andthecensors。
ThelawofAugustusmetwithinnumerableobstacles，andthirty—fouryearsafterithadbeenmadetheRomanknightsinsistedonitsbeingabolished。[46]Heplacedononesidesuchasweremarried，andontheothersidethosewhowerenot：theselastappearedbyfarthegreatestnumber；uponwhichthecitizenswereastonishedandconfounded。
Augustus，withthegravityoftheancientcensors，addressedtheminthismanner：[47]
\"Whilesicknessandwarsnatchawaysomanycitizens，whatmustbecomeofthisstateifmarriagesarenolongercontracted？Thecitydoesnotconsistofhouses，ofporticos，ofpublicplaces，butofinhabitants。
YoudonotseemenlikethosementionedinFablestartingoutoftheearthtotakecareofyouraffairs。Yourcelibacyisnotowingtothedesireoflivingalone；fornoneofyoueatsorsleepsbyhimself。Youonlyseektoenjoyyourirregularitiesundisturbed。DoyoucitetheexampleoftheVestalVirgins？Ifyoupreservenotthelawsofchastity，yououghttobepunishedlikethem。Youareequallybadcitizens，whetheryourexamplehasaninfluenceontherestoftheworld，orwhetheritbedisregarded。Myonlyviewistheperpetuityoftherepublic。Ihaveincreasedthepenaltiesofthosewhohavedisobeyed；
andwithrespecttorewards，theyaresuchasIdonotknowwhethervirtuehaseverreceivedgreater。Forlesswillathousandmenexposelifeitself；andyetwillnottheseengageyoutotakeawifeandprovideforchildren？\"
Hemadealaw，whichwascalledafterhisname，JuliaandPapiaPopp？a，fromthenamesoftheconsulsforpartofthatyear。[48]Thegreatnessoftheevilappearedevenintheirbeingelected：Diotellsusthattheywerenotmarried，andthattheyhadnochildren。[49]
ThisdecreeofAugustuswasproperlyacodeoflaws，andasystematicbodyofalltheregulationsthatcouldbemadeonthissubject。TheJulianlawswereincorporatedinit，andreceivedgreaterstrength。[50]
Itwassoextensiveinitsuse，andhadaninfluenceonsomanythings，thatitformedthefinestpartofthecivillawoftheRomans。
WefindpartsofitdispersedinthepreciousfragmentsofUlpian，[51]
intheLawsoftheDigest，collectedfromauthorswhowroteonthePapianlaws，inthehistoriansandotherswhohavecitedthem，intheTheodosiancodewhichabolishedthem，andintheworksofthefathers，whohavecensuredthem，withoutdoubtfromalaudablezealforthethingsoftheotherlife，butwithverylittleknowledgeoftheaffairsofthis。
Theselawshadmanyheads，[52]ofwhichweknowthirty—five。Buttoreturntomysubjectasspeedilyaspossible，IshallbeginwiththatheadwhichAulusGelliusinformsuswastheseventh，andrelatestothehonoursandrewardsgrantedbythatlaw。[53]
TheRomans，whoforthemostpartsprangfromthecitiesoftheLatins，whichwereLaced？moniancolonies，[54]andhadreceivedapartoftheirlawsevenfromthosecities，[55]had，liketheLaced？monians，suchvenerationforoldageastogiveitallhonourandprecedence。Whentherepublicwantedcitizens，shegrantedtomarriageandtothenumberofchildrentheprivilegeswhichhadbeengiventoage。[56]Shegrantedsometomarriagealone，independentofthechildrenwhichmightspringfromit：thiswascalledtherightofhusbands。Shegaveotherstothosewhohadanychildren，andlargerstilltothosewhohadthreechildren。
Thesethreethingsmustnotbeconfounded。Theselasthadthoseprivilegeswhichmarriedmenconstantlyenjoyed；as，forexample，aparticularplaceinthetheatre；[57]theyhadthosewhichcouldonlybeenjoyedbymenwhohadchildren，andwhichnonecoulddeprivethemofbutsuchashadagreaternumber。
Theseprivilegeswereveryextensive。Themarriedmenwhohadthemostchildrenwerealwayspreferred，whetherinthepursuitorintheexerciseofhonours，[58]Theconsulwhohadthemostnumerousoffspringwasthefirstwhoreceivedthefasces；[59]hehadhischoiceoftheprovinces：[60]thesenatorwhohadmostchildrenhadhisnamewrittenfirstinthecatalogueofsenators，andwasthefirstingivinghisopinioninthesenate。[61]Theymightevenstandsoonerthanordinaryforanoffice，becauseeverychildgaveadispensationofayear。[62]IfaninhabitantofRomehadthreechildren，hewasexemptedfromalltroublesomeoffices。[63]Thefreebornwomenwhohadthreechildren，andthefreedwomenwhohadfour，passedoutofthatperpetualtutelage[64]
inwhichtheyhadbeenheldbytheancientlawsofRome。[65]
Astheyhadrewards，theyhadalsopenalties。[66]Thosewhowerenotmarriedcouldreceivenoadvantagefromthewillofanypersonthatwasnotarelative；[67]andthosewho，beingmarried，hadnochildren，couldreceiveonlyhalf。[68]TheRomans，saysPlutarch，marryonlytobeheirs，andnottohavethem。[69]
Theadvantageswhichamanandhiswifemightreceivefromeachotherbywillwerelimitedbylaw。[70]Iftheyhadchildrenofeachother，theymightreceivethewhole；ifnot，theycouldreceiveonlyatenthpartofthesuccessionontheaccountofmarriage；andiftheyhadanychildrenbyaformerventer，asmanytenthsastheyhadchildren。
Ifahusbandabsentedhimselffromhiswifeonanyothercausethantheaffairsoftherepublic，hecouldnotinheritfromher。[71]
Thelawgavetoasurvivinghusbandorwifetwoyearstomarryagain，[72]andayearandahalfincaseofadivorce。Thefatherswhowouldnotsuffertheirchildrentomarry，orrefusedtogivetheirdaughtersaportion，wereobligedtodoitbythemagistrates。[73]
Theywerenotallowedtobetrothwhenthemarriagewastobedeferredformorethantwoyears：[74]andastheycouldnotmarryagirltillshewastwelveyearsold，theycouldnotbebetrothedtohertillshewasten。Thelawwouldnotsufferthemtotrifletonopurpose；[75]andunderapretenceofbeingbetrothed，toenjoytheprivilegesofmarriedmen。
Itwascontrarytolawforamanofsixtytomarryawomanoffifty。[76]
Astheyhadgivengreatprivilegestomarriedmen，thelawwouldnotsufferthemtoenterintouselessmarriages。Forthesamereason，theCalvisianSenatusConsultumdeclaredthemarriageofawomanabovefiftywithamanlessthansixtytobeunequal：[77]sothatawomanoffiftyyearsofagecouldnotmarrywithoutincurringthepenaltiesoftheselaws。TiberiusaddedtotherigourofthePapianlaw，[78]andprohibitedmenofsixtyfrommarryingwomenunderfifty；sothatamanofsixtycouldnotmarryinanycasewhatsoever，withoutincurringthepenalty。
ButClaudiusabrogatedthislawmadeunderTiberius。[79]
AlltheseregulationsweremoreconformabletotheclimateofItalythantothatoftheNorth，whereamanofsixtyyearsofagehasstillaconsiderabledegreeofstrength，andwherewomenoffiftyarenotalwayspastchild—bearing。
Thattheymightnotbeunnecessarilylimitedinthechoicetheyweretomake，Augustuspermittedallthefreeborncitizenswhowerenotsenators[80]tomarryfreedwomen。[81]ThePapianlawforbadethesenatorsmarryingfreedwomen，[82]orthosewhohadbeenbroughtuptothestage；andfromthetimeofUlpian，[83]free—bornpersonswereforbiddentomarrywomenwhohadledadisorderlylife，whohadplayedinthetheatre，orwhohadbeencondemnedbyapublicsentence。Thismusthavebeenestablishedbyadecreeofthesenate。Duringthetimeoftherepublictheyhadnevermadelawslikethese，becausethecensorscorrectedthiskindofdisorderassoonasitarose，orelsepreventeditsrising。
Constantinemadealaw[84]inwhichhecomprehended，intheprohibitionofthePapianlaw，notonlythesenators，butevensuchashadaconsiderablerankinthestate，withoutmentioningpersonsinaninferiorstation：thisconstitutedthelawofthosetimes。Thesemarriageswerethereforenolongerforbidden，excepttothefree—borncomprehendedinthelawofConstantine。Justinian，however，abrogatedthelawofConstantine，[85]andpermittedallsortsofpersonstocontractthesemarriages；andthuswehaveacquiredsofatalaliberty。
Itisevidentthatthepenaltiesinflictedonsuchasmarriedcontrarytotheprohibitionofthelawwerethesameasthoseinflictedonpersonswhodidnotmarry。Thesemarriagesdidnotgivethemanyciviladvantage；[86]forthedowry[87]wasconfiscatedafterthedeathofthewife。[88]
Augustushavingadjudgedthesuccessionandlegaciesofthosewhomtheselawshaddeclaredincapable，tothepublictreasury，[89]theyhadtheappearanceratheroffiscalthanofpoliticalandcivillaws。Thedisgusttheyhadalreadyconceivedataburdenwhichappearedtooheavywasincreasedbytheirseeingthemselvesacontinualpreytotheavidityofthetreasury。Onthisaccount，itbecamenecessary，underTiberius，thattheselawsshouldbesoftened；[90]thatNeroshouldlessentherewardsgivenoutofthetreasurytotheinformers；[91]thatTrajanshouldputastoptotheirplundering；[92]thatSeverusshouldalsomoderatetheselaws；[93]andthattheciviliansshouldconsiderthemasodious，andinalltheirdecisionsdeviatefromtheliteralrigour。
Besides，theemperorsenervatedtheselaws[94]bytheprivilegestheygrantedoftherightsofhusbands，ofchildren，andofthreechildren。
Morethanthis，theygaveparticularpersonsadispensationfromthepenaltiesoftheselaws。[95]Buttheregulationsestablishedforthepublicutilityseemedincapableofadmittinganalleviation。
Itwashighlyreasonablethattheyshouldgranttherightsofchildrentothevestals，[96]whomreligionretainedinanecessaryvirginity：
theygave，inthesamemanner，theprivilegeofmarriedmentosoldiers，[97]becausetheycouldnotmarry。Itwascustomarytoexempttheemperorsfromtheconstraintofcertaincivillaws。ThusAugustuswasfreedfromtheconstraintofthelawwhichlimitedthepowerofenfranchising，[98]andofthatwhichsetboundstotherightofbequeathingbytestament。[99]Thesewereonlyparticularcases；but，atlast，dispensationsweregivenwithoutdiscretion，andtheruleitselfbecamenomorethananexception。
Thesectsofphilosophershadalreadyintroducedintheempireadispositionthatestrangedthemfrombusiness——adispositionwhichcouldnotgaingroundinthetimeoftherepublic，[100]wheneverybodywasemployedintheartsofwarandpeace。Hencearoseanideaofperfection，asconnectedwithalifeofspeculation；henceanestrangementfromthecaresandembarrassmentsofafamily。TheChristianreligioncomingafterthisphilosophyfixed，ifImaymakeuseoftheexpression，theideaswhichthathadonlyprepared。
Christianitystampeditscharacteronjurisprudence；forempirehaseveraconnectionwiththepriesthood。ThisisvisiblefromtheTheodosiancode，whichisonlyacollectionofthedecreesoftheChristianemperors。
ApanegyristofConstantine[101]saidtothatemperor，\"Yourlawsweremadeonlytocorrectviceandtoregulatemanners：youhavestrippedtheancientlawsofthatartificewhichseemedtohavenootheraimthantolaysnaresforsimplicity。\"
ItiscertainthatthealterationsmadebyConstantinetooktheirriseeitherfromsentimentsrelatingtotheestablishmentofChristianity，orfromideasconceivedofitsperfection。Fromthefirstproceededthoselawswhichgavesuchauthoritytobishops，andwhichhavebeenthefoundationoftheecclesiasticaljurisdiction；hencethoselawswhichweakenedpaternalauthority[102]bydeprivingthefatherofhispropertyinthepossessionsofhischildren。Toextendanewreligion，theywereobligedtotakeawaythedependenceofchildren，whoarealwaysleastattachedtowhatisalreadyestablished。
ThelawsmadewithaviewtoChristianperfectionweremoreparticularlythosebywhichthepenaltiesofthePapianlawswereabolished；theunmarriedwereequallyexemptedfromthem，withthosewho，beingmarried，hadnochildren。
\"Theselawswereestablished，\"saysanecclesiasticalhistorian，[103]
\"asifthemultiplicationofhumanspecieswasaneffectofourcare；
insteadofbeingsensiblethatthenumberisincreasedordiminishedaccordingtotheorderofProvidence。\"
Principlesofreligionhavehadanextraordinaryinfluenceonthepropagationofthehumanspecies。Sometimestheyhavepromotedit，asamongtheJews，theMahometans，theGaurs，andtheChinese；atotherstheyhaveputadamptoit，aswasthecaseoftheRomansupontheirconversiontoChristianity。
Theyeverywhereincessantlypreachedcontinency；avirtuethemoreperfectbecauseinitsownnatureitcanbepractisedbutbyveryfew。
Constantinehadnottakenawaythedecimallawswhichgrantedagreaterextenttothedonationsbetweenmanandwife，inproportiontothenumberoftheirchildren。Theodosius，theyounger，abrogatedeventheselaws。[104]
JustiniandeclaredallthosemarriagesvalidwhichhadbeenprohibitedbythePapianlaws。[105]Theselawsrequiredpeopletomarryagain：
Justiniangrantedprivilegestothosewhodidnotmarryagain。[106]
Bytheancientinstitutions，thenaturalrightwhicheveryonehadtomarryandbegetchildrencouldnotbetakenaway。Thuswhentheyreceivedalegacy，[107]onconditionofnotmarrying，orwhenapatronmadehisfreedmanswear[108]thathewouldneithermarrynorbegetchildren，thePapianlawannulledboththeconditionandtheoath。[109]
Theclausesoncontinuinginwidowhoodestablishedamonguscontradicttheancientlaw，anddescendfromtheconstitutionsoftheemperors，foundedonideasofperfection。
ThereisnolawthatcontainsanexpressabrogationoftheprivilegesandhonourswhichtheRomanshadgrantedtomarriages，andtoanumberofchildren。Butwherecelibacyhadthepre—eminence，marriagecouldnotbeheldinhonour；andsincetheycouldobligetheofficersofthepublicrevenuetorenouncesomanyadvantagesbytheabolitionofthepenalties，itiseasytoperceivethatwithyetgreatereasetheymightputastoptotherewards。
Thesamespiritualreasonwhichhadpermittedcelibacysoonimposeditevenasnecessary。GodforbidthatIshouldherespeakagainstcelibacyasadoptedbyreligion；butwhocanbesilentwhenitisbuiltonlibertinism；whenthetwosexes，corruptingeachotherevenbythenaturalsensationsthemselves，flyfromaunionwhichoughttomakethembetter，toliveinthatwhichalwaysrendersthemworse？
Itisaruledrawnfromnature，thatthemorethenumberofmarriagesisdiminished，themorecorruptarethosewhohaveenteredintothatstate；
thefewermarriedmen，thelessfidelityisthereinmarriage；aswhentherearemorethieves，moretheftsarecommitted。
22。OftheExposingofChildren。TheRomanpolicywasverygoodinrespecttotheexposingofchildren。Romulus，saysDionysiusHalicarnassus，[110]laidthecitizensunderanobligationtoeducatealltheirmalechildren，andtheeldestoftheirdaughters。Iftheinfantsweredeformedandmonstrous，hepermittedtheexposingthem，afterhavingshownthemtofiveoftheirnearestneighbours。
Romulusdidnotsufferthemtokillanyinfantsunderthreeyearsold：[111]bywhichmeanshereconciledthelawthatgavetofatherstherightovertheirchildrenoflifeanddeathwiththatwhichprohibitedtheirbeingexposed。
WefindalsoinDionysiusHalicarnassus[112]thatthelawwhichobligedthecitizenstomarry，andtoeducatealltheirchildren，wasinforceinthe277thyearofRome；weseethatcustomhadrestrainedthelawofRomuluswhichpermittedthemtoexposetheiryoungerdaughters。
WehavenoknowledgeofwhatthelawoftheTwelveTables（madeintheyearofRome301）appointedwithrespecttotheexposingofchildren，exceptfromapassageofCicero，[113]who，speakingoftheofficeoftribuneofthepeople，saysthatsoonafteritsbirth，likethemonstrousinfantofthelawoftheTwelveTables，itwasstifled；theinfantthatwasnotmonstrouswasthereforepreserved，andthelawoftheTwelveTablesmadenoalterationintheprecedinginstitutions。
\"TheGermans，\"saysTacitus，[114]\"neverexposetheirchildren；amongthemthebestmannershavemoreforcethaninotherplacesthebestlaws。\"TheRomanshadthereforelawsagainstthiscustom，andyettheydidnotfollowthem。WefindnoRomanlawthatpermittedtheexposingofchildren；[115]thiswas，withoutdoubt，anabuseintroducedtowardsthedeclineoftherepublic，whenluxuryrobbedthemoftheirfreedom，whenwealthdividedwascalledpoverty，whenthefatherbelievedthatallwaslostwhichhegavetohisfamily，andwhenthisfamilywasdistinctfromhisproperty。
23。OftheStateoftheWorldaftertheDestructionoftheRomans。TheregulationsmadebytheRomanstoincreasethenumberoftheircitizenshadtheireffectwhiletherepublic，inthefullvigourofherconstitution，hadnothingtorepairbutthelossesshesustainedbyhercourage，byherintrepidity，byherfirmness，herloveofgloryandofvirtue。Butsoonthewisestlawscouldnotre—establishwhatadyingrepublic，whatageneralanarchy，whatamilitarygovernment，whatarigidempire，whataprouddespoticpower，whatafeeblemonarchy，whatastupid，weak，andsuperstitiouscourthadsuccessivelypulleddown。Itmight，indeed，besaidthattheyconqueredtheworldonlytoweakenit，andtodeliveritupdefencelesstobarbarians。TheGothicnations，theGetes，theSaracensandTartarsbyturnsharassedthem；andsoonthebarbarianshadnonetodestroybutbarbarians。Thus，infabuloustimes，aftertheinundationsandthedeluge，therearoseoutoftheeartharmedmen，whoexterminatedoneanother。
24。TheChangeswhichhappenedinEuropewithregardtotheNumberoftheInhabitants。InthestateEuropewasinonewouldnotimagineitpossibleforittoberetrieved，especiallywhenunderCharlemagneitformedonlyonevastempire。Butbythenatureofgovernmentatthattimeitbecamedividedintoaninfinitenumberofpettysovereignties，andasthelordorsovereign，whoresidedinhisvillageorcity，wasneithergreat，rich，powerful，norevensafebutbythenumberofhissubjects，everyoneemployedhimselfwithasingularattentiontomakehislittlecountryflourish。Thissucceededinsuchamannerthatnotwithstandingtheirregularitiesofgovernment，thewantofthatknowledgewhichhassincebeenacquiredincommerce，andthenumerouswarsanddisordersincessantlyarising，mostcountriesofEuropewerebetterpeopledinthoseclaysthantheyareevenatpresent。
Ihavenottimetotreatfullyofthissubject，butIshallcitetheprodigiousarmiesengagedintheCrusades，composedofmenofallcountries。PuffendorfsaysthatinthereignofCharlesIXtherewereinFrancetwentymillionsofmen。
Itistheperpetualreunionofmanylittlestatesthathasproducedthisdiminution。Formerly，everyvillageofFrancewasacapital；thereisatpresentonlyonelargeone。Everypartofthestatewasacentreofpower；atpresentallhasarelationtoonecentre，andthiscentreisinsomemeasurethestateitself。
25。ThesameSubjectcontinued。Europe，itistrue，hasforthesetwoagespastgreatlyincreaseditsnavigation；thishasbothprocuredanddepriveditofinhabitants。HollandsendseveryyearagreatnumberofmarinerstotheIndies，ofwhomnotabovetwo—thirdsreturn；theresteitherperishorsettleintheIndies。Thesamethingmusthappentoeveryothernationconcernedinthattrade。
WemustnotjudgeofEuropeasofaparticularstateengagedaloneinanextensivenavigation。Thisstatewouldincreaseinpeople，becausealltheneighbouringnationswouldendeavourtohaveashareinthiscommerce，andmarinerswouldarrivefromallparts。Europe，separatedfromtherestoftheworldbyreligion，[116]byvastseasanddeserts，cannotberepairedinthismanner。
26。Consequences。FromallthiswemayconcludethatEuropeisatpresentinaconditiontorequirelawstobemadeinfavourofthepropagationofthehumanspecies。ThepoliticsoftheancientGreeksincessantlycomplainoftheinconveniencesattendingarepublic，fromtheexcessivenumberofcitizens；butthepoliticsofthisagecalluponustotakepropermeanstoincreaseours。
27。OftheLawmadeinFrancetoencouragethePropagationoftheSpecies。LouisXIVappointedparticularpensionstothosewhohadtenchildren，andmuchlargertosuchashadtwelve。[117]Butitisnotsufficienttorewardprodigies。Inordertocommunicateageneralspirit，whichleadstothepropagationofthespecies，itisnecessaryforustoestablish，liketheRomans，generalrewards，orgeneralpenalties。