Weyland (John) The Principles of Population and Production, as they are affected by the Progress of Society, first edition, half-title, contemporary Worcester lending library label annotated "12 days" in manuscript to front pastedown, original boards, uncut, rubbed, rebacked in cloth, [Goldsmiths' 21429; Kress B. 6837], 1816 § Godwin (William) Of Population, An Enquiry concerning the Power of Increase of Numbers of Mankind, being an Answer to Mr. Malthus's Essay on that Subject, first edition, half-title, foxing at beginning and end, later ink signature to front free endpaper, contemporary half calf, rubbed, rebacked preserving old spine numbered "I", [Einaudi 2634; Goldsmiths 22828; Kress C. 535], 1820, 8vo (2)
⁂ Weyland's magnum opus is of some significance not so much in its own right but because Weyland's defence of the Poor Laws and his views on population growth angered Malthus so much that he had to answer them in some exasperated detail in his Appendix to the fifth edition of his Essay on Population published in 1817. Godwin's essay is a strongly-argued attack on both the principles and statistics of Malthus's Essay on the Principle of Population of 1798. It was referred to frequently in the Parliamentary and public debate which followed the introduction of James Scarlett's Poor Relief Bill in May 1821.
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