do pretty well agree; wherefore, although the said number of
7,369,000 be not (as it cannot be) a demonstrated truth, yet it will
serve for a good supposition, which is as much as we want at
present.

As for the time in which the people double, it is yet more hard to
be found. For we have good experience (in the said page 94 of the
aforementioned observations) that in the country but 1 of 50 die per
annum; and by other late accounts, that there have been sometimes
but 24 births for 23 burials. The which two points, if they were
universally and constantly true, there would be colour enough to say
that the people doubled but in about 1,200 years. As, for example,
suppose there be 600 people, of which let a fiftieth part die per
annum, then there shall die 12 per annum; and if the births be as 24
to 23, then the increase of the people shall be somewhat above half
a man per annum, and consequently the supposed number of 600 cannot
be doubled but in 1,126 years, which, to reckon in round numbers,
and for that the aforementioned fractions were not exact, we had
rather call 1,200.

There are also other good observations, that even in the country one
in about 30 or 32 per annum hath died, and that there have been five
births for four burials. Now, according to this doctrine, 20 will
die per annum out of the above 600, and 25 will be born, so as the
increase will be five, which is a hundred and twentieth part of the
said 600. So as we have two fair computations, differing from each
other as one to ten; and there are also several other good
observations for other measures.

I might here insert, that although the births in this last