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CHAPTER NINE

though I have evidence that he knew of some methods of contraception. It must not be forgotten that he was still alive when Francis Place took up the subject of practical methods of contraception (see p. 265) and it is certainly not true to say, as does Adelyne More[1] in her otherwise admirable pamphlet, that "Malthus wrote in an age which knew of no 'preventive,' as opposed to 'positive' checks . . . except either late marriage or the use of abortifacients." He personally corresponded with Francis Place and could have easily modified his later editions had he so desired. (See also p. 268.)

V. Robinson, M.D. in his little book "Pioneers of Birth Control" said:[2] "Destiny concocted a greater irony when she made Thomas Robert Malthus the unwilling father of the birth control movement. This clergyman was a timid bird in the sociological aviary, and he turned in despair from the daring eagles he hatched. Malthus was not a Malthusian" (p. 16) "with clarity he saw the evils of an exces-

  1. ↑ Adelyne More (1916) "Fecundity versus Civilization." Pp. 52. London, 1916.
  2. ↑ Victor Robinson, M.D. 1919: "Pioneers of Birth Control in England and America." Pp. 107. Published by Voluntary Parenthood League, New York, 1919.

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