MALTHUS, Thomas Robert (1766-1834). An Essay on the Principle of Population: or, A view of its past and present effects on human happiness. London: T. Bensley for J. Johnson, 1803. 4° (264 x 208mm). C4 cancelled and signed C3. (Some spotting throughout, more pronounced in the first and last quires, a few short marginal tears.) Contemporary blue-black half morocco, spine gilt (neatly rebacked with the original spine, paper sides darkened and scuffed).
Second edition of this 'substantially new book' (ODNB). Malthus had proposed in 1798 that population increases in a geometrical ratio, and subsistence only in an arithmetical ratio, arguing that vice and misery were therefore necessary 'checks' on the growth of population. In the present enlarged edition he ceases to regard such checks as insuperable obstacles to social improvement. Carpenter XXXII (2); Einaudi 3668; Goldsmiths' 18640; Kress B.4701; cf. PMM 251.
MALTHUS, Thomas Robert (1766-1834). An Essay on the Principle of Population: or, A view of its past and present effects on human happiness. London: T. Bensley for J. Johnson, 1803. 4° (264 x 208mm). C4 cancelled and signed C3. (Some spotting throughout, more pronounced in the first and last quires, a few short marginal tears.) Contemporary blue-black half morocco, spine gilt (neatly rebacked with the original spine, paper sides darkened and scuffed).
Second edition of this 'substantially new book' (ODNB). Malthus had proposed in 1798 that population increases in a geometrical ratio, and subsistence only in an arithmetical ratio, arguing that vice and misery were therefore necessary 'checks' on the growth of population. In the present enlarged edition he ceases to regard such checks as insuperable obstacles to social improvement. Carpenter XXXII (2); Einaudi 3668; Goldsmiths' 18640; Kress B.4701; cf. PMM 251.
