Thomas Malthus：An Essay on the Principle of Population, Excerpt 148

Three or four hundred years ago there was undoubtedly much less labour in England, in proportion to the population, than at present, but there was much more dependence, and we probably should not now enjoy our present degree of civil liberty if the poor, by the introduction of manufactures, had not been enabled to give something in exchange for the provisions of the great Lords, instead of being dependent upon their bounty. Even the greatest enemies of trade and manufactures, and I do not reckon myself a very determined friend to them, must allow that when they were introduced into England, liberty came in their train.

Source： https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4239
Locator：Excerpt 148 · Verified：2026-10-19 · Verification：Short excerpt

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