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That the prudential disposition in human nature is sufficiently strong, where the constitution of society distributes, and fixes properly, the obligation to prudence, is evident from the example of Norway, which, though ranking among the least civilized nations of Europe, is yet that, in which, unless perhaps we except Switzerland, the preventive check prevails in the highest degree. "The Norway farms[1] have in general a certain number of married labourers employed upon them, in proportion to their size, who are called housemen. They receive from the farmer a house and a quantity of land, nearly sufficient to maintain a family, in return for which they are under an obligation of working for him at a low price, whenever they are called upon. Except in the immediate neighbourhood of the towns, and on the sea-coast, the vacancy of a place of this kind is the only prospect which presents itself of providing
- ↑ Malthus on Population. Chapter on the checks to population in Norway.
entails on them, is future and contingent. But in all other ranks, the expense depending on marriage, is great, immediate, and certain. The husband also has commonly alone to contribute the most considerable part of it.
