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From: "Gordon Evans" <>
Subject: [ENG-MERSEYSIDE] Anti-Malthusian
Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:16:29 -0000
References: <cd0.22a365e8.34a0202d@aol.com><001401c845a7$7a880a50$25fa8756@e105><000101c846cd$69156930$6601a8c0@anne><000401c84d1b$aef581c0$4001a8c0@xxxxxxxx0c0cde><004401c851fc$50062e90$4001a8c0@xxxxxxxx0c0cde><000601c85272$a63045f0$ed5c543a@yourc6b5e4eabc><000b01c85479$f64e1ef0$4001a8c0@xxxxxxxx0c0cde><006001c854a2$300ca7b0$c95a543a@yourc6b5e4eabc><000b01c854f4$981251f0$4001a8c0@xxxxxxxx0c0cde><002801c85580$1dae0da0$d653543a@yourc6b5e4eabc><000901c85586$62274ae0$0301010a@Andy>


Malthusian is defined in my Collins English Dictionary as :-

"Relating to the theory of Malthus, stating that increases in population
tend to exceed increases in the means of subsistence, and that sexual
restraint should be exercised".

As Nathaniel and Susannah WALLEY had produced 12 children by the time of the
1851 Census (+ two more subsequent to it) the "anti-malthusian" reference
would appear to be a comment on the couple's fecundity?
I find it difficult to believe that an agricultural labourer's wife in
deepest Cheshire would have been acquainted with the works of the English
economist Thomas MALTHUS (1766-1834).
In which case, was the "occupation" shown against Susanna WALLEY's name in
the 1851 Census put there by a mischievous enumerator?

Regards
Gordon

From: "Andy Candlish" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 1:48 AM
Subject: Re: [ENG-MERSEYSIDE] FIDLER

>Hi
>Could it be Anti-Malthusian? It looks like it on the image. If you google
>you will find info. Malthusian is to do with population growth. Susanna
>might have been an interesting lady to meet.
>Andy
>
>Thanks Gordon,
>Maybe some other reader my put us right on what an Anti-Methusian is
>(just
>hope its not catching)
>Bert


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