Page:China- Its State and Prospects.djvu/78

56 to the precepts of Confucius, "of the three degrees of unfilial conduct, to be without posterity, is the greatest;" hence the Chinese of every class and degree marry when quite young, and rejoice in nothing so much as in the increase of their families. Added to the strong desire of issue, we may allude to the bounties offered by the Tartar rulers, when fully established in the dominion of the empire, proposing grants of the land which had been previously deserted by the terrified population, to any who would settle down and cultivate it; which has induced many to spread over the country and to prosecute the quiet and healthy arts of husbandry; by which their industry has been exercised, and their increase promoted; until now the whole land is full of inhabitants, and they are bursting their bounds on every side.

From 1792 to 1812, a period of twenty years, the increase has been inconsiderable compared with former years, being only one-sixth of the whole, and scarcely an addition of one per cent, per annum. This diminution in the rate of increase, during the last twenty years, previous to 1812, may be accounted for, partially by the growth of emigration, and, more fully by the introduction of opium, which, since the latter part of the last century, has been smuggled into the country, at an enormous rate. Those who have not seen the effects of opium smoking, in the eastern world, can hardly form any conception of its injurious results on the health, energies, and lives of those who indulge in it. The debilitating of the constitution, and the shortening of life, are sure to follow, in a few years, after the practice has been commenced; as soon and as certainly if not much more so, than is seen to be the case with