Page:Two Lectures on the Checks to Population.pdf/63

57 in all cases in which a parent is in fact discharged of the maintenance of his child, whatever be the way in which the discharge is effected. It will hold good therefore in the case, in which children are able, from an early age, to purchase their maintenance by their own labour. When that happens, it is to be expected that in the season of youth they will be left in a great measure to their own thoughtlessness and natural imprudence. Even supposing them, for argument's sake, to be open to influence, that is, to be fully ready to be guided by advice properly given, they will be without advisers. I say they will be without advisers, because, though advice in one sense is always cheap, yet they will be without friends, who will so far interest themselves in their welfare, as to watch the occasions in which advice is required, and to take the pains and trouble, of investigating facts, and of acquiring the knowledge which can alone render them competent, to advise with judgment, to support their advice with sufficient reasons, or to weigh properly the objections which may be made to it. On this ground therefore, as well as on the ground of the influence