sons who remained unmarried in the previous period, in consequence of the various difficulties resulting from a state of war, and thus the ratio is unnaturally increased. The births in 1817 having been 944,000, and one-half dying before attaining 23, the whole number that will remain in 1840 cannot exceed 472,000, giving 236,000 couples, or 1 in 125 to the population of 1817. We are warranted, therefore, in assuming that as the highest possible, permanent, ratio. The actual number is 1 in 109. What is the true, or natural one, can only be ascertained after that country shall have been for a longer period in a state of tranquillity and prosperity.

In the NETHERLANDS, the long duration of war has caused the marriages to be in like manner unnaturally increased. If we take the population, from 1792 to 1802, at 5,000,000, and the births at their present rate, 1 to 28, we shall obtain less than 180,000, of which only 53 per cent. would obtain the age of 23, giving 95,000 persons, or 47,500 couples. It is not possible that so large a number of births should have taken place, or that so large a proportion should have survived the campaigns of Germany, Russia, Spain, and Italy, yet we find the marriages from 1815 to 1825 nearly equal thereto, having been above 43,000 in number. Many of these must have been brought within this period, in consequence of the increased facility of obtaining subsistence during the peaceful period between 1815 and 1830, and therefore the present is not the natural state of things. From 1815 to 1825, the births slightly exceeded 2,000,000, of which 1,060,000 would arrive at the age of 23, in the period from 1838 to 1848, being an average of 106,000. If all married, they would give 53,000 couples; and as the average population from 1815 to 1825 was 5,670,000, we obtain as the greatest possible average of marriages, 1 in 103. The actual proportion for some years was 1 in 116. What would be the natural proportion, is only to be ascertained after a long series of years of peace and prosperity.

From 1795 to 1807, the population of ENGLAND averaged about 9,250,000 persons. Allowing the same rate of mortality and increase as at present, the births would have been 327,000, and, if we suppose 70 per cent. thereof to attain maturity, the average number in the period from 1819 to 1830 would have

been 229,000. The quantity must, however, have been far less, as the increase from 1790 to 1810, a period of 20 years, was only 22 per cent., whereas from 1820 to 1830, a period of only 10 years, it was nearly 16 per cent. The mortality among both old and young was far greater in the first period than in the last, and while the births were fewer, the proportion living to attain maturity was smaller. It is probable, therefore, that 210,000 persons, equal to 105,000 couples, would be the maximum quantity. This would give, if all married, 1 in 88. With the increased health of the present period, the ratio of possible. marriages rises, and thus the births of 1819, 405,000 in number, would probably give, in 1842, about 296,000 persons of the age of 23, equal to 148,000 couples, being 1 to 74 of the population of 1819. We may, therefore, take this as the highest possible ratio. The actual average in the period between 1819 and 1830, was 103,708, being 1 in 89 to the population of 1796 to 1807, twenty-three years previous.

The average population of the UNITED STATES, from 1795 to 1805, was 4,304,000, and the average births must have been 215,000. If 73 per cent. of these attained the age of 23, and all then married, there would be from 1818 to 1828, 157,000 persons, giving 78,500 couples, or 1 in 55 of the population from which they were derived, as the greatest possible proportion. The number of births required in that period is 3,969,000,† giving an annual average of nearly 397,000. If we suppose each marriage to yield 5 births, the number must average 74,500, or 1 in 58. If we take 70,000 as the number, it will give 1 in 61.

The following table gives a comparative view of these several nations. In the first column is given the greatest possible, permanent, proportion of marriages to population. In the second is given the actual ratio. In a natural state of things, this will always be somewhat below the first; but after a period of war and insecurity, it will generally be found for a time somewhat exceeding it, and the amount of the excess will probably mark the extent of the disturbance that has been experienced. It was greater in France than throughout Holland and Belgium,

See table at p. 16, ante.

+ See table at p. 19, ante.

and therefore we find the excess of the actual over the possible, permanent, average, confined to the former. In the third column is given the usual mode of stating the ratio of marriages to population. A glance at this will satisfy the reader that it conveys no information whatever, while the others show the actual movement of the population, and enable us to deduce therefrom the actual condition of the people.

Dr. Hawkins, in his Medical Statistics, says, "In England, the proportion of marriages has diminished since the early part of the last century, when it was estimated at 1 in 115 individuals. The census of 1801, lowered the proportion to 1 in 123; that of 1811, to 1 in 126; and, finally, in 1821, we find only 1 in 131."

In order to test the correctness of this statement, and of the deductions that might be made from it, we must take the population of England at several periods, as follows:

1780, 7,100,000; of whom were married, in 1801,67,288 couples. 1791, 7,700,000.-Marriages in 1812, 84,000.

1801, 8,331,164.—Marriages in 1822, 98,878.

1811, 9,551,528.-—Marriages in 1832, supposed 110,000. 1821, 11,261,439.

1831, 13,086,675.

By pursuing the course already adopted of comparing the number of marriages with the population which produced the parties now capable of contracting marriage, viz. that of from 20 to 23 years previously, we obtain the following results:

In 1700, the number of marriages was to the existing population, 1 in 115, and as the increase at that time was exceedingly slow, it is probable that it bore nearly the same proportion to the population of 1678 or 1679.

In 1780, the population being 7,100,000, and the number of marriages in 1801 being 67,288, the ratio would be 1 in 105.

In 1791, the population being 7,600,000, and the number of marriages in 1812, 84,000, the ratio would be 1 in 90.

In 1801, the population being 8,331,164, and the marriages in 1822, 98,878, the ratio would be 1 in 84.

In 1811, the population being 9,551,528, and the marriages in 1832, supposed 110,000, the average would be 1 in 87, Showing a nearly steady increase in the ratio of marriages to population, when properly examined, and showing that as the condition of any people improves, the disposition to matrimony is more readily indulged.

The small difference in the ratio of 1821 and 1831, is readily explained by the emigration of large numbers of persons of the age proper to contract matrimony.

CHAPTER V.

OF FECUNDITY.-FRANCE. THE NETHERLANDS.-ENGLAND.— THE UNITED STATES.

The latter being as 13.17 to 1 of the former, and giving 3.79 as the fruits of each marriage.

From 1815 to 1825, the births in the NETHER

The illegitimate were as 1 to 15 of the legitimate,

or about

2,015,646

126,000

1,889,646

The marriages were 430,247, and the product of each, 4.39 births.

From 1819 to 1830, the marriages in ENGLAND averaged 103.708. From 1820 to 1831, the births averaged 444,000, of which the illegitimate were as 1 in 20. The annual emigration of 5,000 married couples would reduce the births as much as the illegitimate would increase them, and such we doubt not has been the case. If so, the productive marriages would be reduced to 98,708, and the births to 422,000, or 4.30 to each.

The number of births required in the UNITED STATES, from 1818 to 1828, averaged 397,000. Owing to the facility of obtaining the means of subsistence, almost all marry, and marriages take place early, the consequence of which is, that