A lecture on the generation, increase, and improvement of the human species / [Anon].

  • James Graham
Date:
[1782?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture on the generation, increase, and improvement of the human species / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    efeediDg generation becomes more and more weakly; 1 though thefe are alarming circumflances, and call loud- j ly for a remedy, yet it is totally negle&ed. Gentle¬ men, the degeneracy and imbecility of body and mind* fo prevalent in this country, not only deflroys the ftates but likewife the peace and happinefs of individuals; for no man can have felicity in the hymenial ftate when his wife is barren. Indeed, health and children are as neceffary to the profperity of mankind, as the genial rays of the fun are to enliven and eherifh the fragrant plants. I think that children are as neceffary to happi- 1 nefs as health. So much was barrennefs dreaded by the ladies in ancient times, that they were mifcrable, and became obje&s of reproach and fcorn—u Give me iC children, vfays the lovely Rachel) or clfe I die.” Barrennefs is always the effects of natural caufes—> I (hall have the happinefs to convince you of the truth? of this pofition; but before I proceed, let us enquire into the political reafons of this degeneracy of the hu¬ man race. Gentlemen, there is no maxim fo clear as1 this, that men will propagate in proportion as matri~i: mony is encouraged. Men may fly to other methods1 of indulging their pafiions; but wc all know that the children begotten out of wedlock are but few in com-1 parifon, and thefe feeble and weak from the want of parental care and tendernefs. f The firfl ftep towards the encouraging of matrimo¬ ny, would be to fupprefs all public proftitution. I am fure there is no one who hears me, whofe foul does not (brink with horror, when they fee the once innocent** beautiful, and lovely females, now abandoned and wretched, who perhaps have been forced to the eaii
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