MISCELLANIES BY CHARLES KINGSLEY, RECTOR OF EVERSLEY; CHAPLAIN IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY. REPRINTED CHIEFLY FROM FRASER'S MAGAZINE' AND MISCELLANIES. MANSFIELD'S PARAGUAY, BRAZIL, AND THE [HE' over-population' theory, so popular at the beginning of this century, has been fast falling into disrepute. That startling dogma of the science du néant which used of old so magisterially to inform the human race that it was on the whole a failure, because 'the number of human beings had always a tendency to increase faster than the means of subsistence,' is now becoming, not merely questionable, but ludicrous. Started, so wicked wags affirm, by a few old bachelors, who, having no children themselves, bore a grudge against their 'recklessly-multiplying' neighbours for having any-it was suspected from the first on moral grounds; and may be now considered as fairly abolished on' scientific ones. The moral philosopher answered to it that it was impossible that the universe could be one grand mistake: human nature a disease; and the Creator of mankind one who- -but reverence forbids us to say what we should have a right to say of Him, were that theory a true one. The student of humanity asked, 'Is it possible that the family life, which is the * FRASER'S MAGAZINE, November, 1856.- Paraguay, Brazil, and the Plate.' Letters written in 1852-3. By C. B. Mansfield, Esq., M.A., of Clare Hall, Cambridge; with a Sketch of the Author's Life, by the Rev. C. Kingsley. Cambridge: Macmillan and Co. 1856. VOL. II. B |