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HE inquiry instituted and census

Taken 1801 and 1811, presented results as extraordinary as unexpected; showing an accelerated progress of increasing population in Great Britain, at the close of the last century and beginning of the present; which was thought very unlikely to continue with like rapidity in future.

The proportion of births to deaths had been estimated at 11 to 10, about the middle of the past century;* and that estimate has not been deemed materially defective. In the latter part of the century (taking a period of twenty years), the proportion of registered baptisms to burials in all EngLand and Wales, was found to be 13 to 10; and, on an average of the last five years of it, 137 to 100.+ In the first decade of the present age, the pro portion exhibited by the returns of parish-abstracts was 148 to 100; and for the last five years of this decennial period, 151 to 100.+

As the registers of baptisms are known to be more defective than those of funerals; among other reasons, because many dissenters from the established church bury their dead in the parish cemetery, who have not their children baptised according to the rites of the church; and because private

Dr. Short. New Obs. 22 and 24.

baptisms are excluded from some of the registers, and the interment of still-born and unbaptised children__is in others included; it followed, that the excess of births above deaths was still greater than the abstracts of parishregisters exhibited. Admitting a requi site but conjectural correction upon this ground, the proportion of births to deaths on a medium of the first ten years of the present century, has been taken at 16 to 10;¶ a proportion con

sidered to be quite extraordinary for a rich and well-peopled territory; showing a rate of increase, which, as remarked concerning it, cannot be permanent; and which it would be unreasonable to expect should endure for any long continuance.**

There seems reason, however, to believe, that the accelerated progress of increase, exhibited by the growing ratio of excess of births above deaths to the whole population, has yet received no check; and that the augmentation of the people is proceeding with a rapidity as great in the second as in the first decade of the century. As this is a point of much moment in connection with many important considerations. the grounds of the opinion now stated will be given; and with as much brevity as the nature of the subject allows.

The Bills of Mortality of London. annually published, exbibit in the past century an excess of burials above baptisms progressively diminishing, until nearly equalized in the latter part of it: the average of the last five years show. ing the proportion of 98 baptisms to 100 funerals.++ From the beginning of the present century, the registered baptisms have exceeded the burials; the ratio for the first five years being 108 to

+In 20 years (1780-1800) 5,014,899 baptisms, and 3,840,455 burials; annual average, 250,745 to 192,023, or 131 : 100.

In 5 last years (1796—1800), average 255,426 to 186,000, or 137: 100.

In 10 years (1801–1810), 2,878,906 bapt. 1,950,189 bur. or 148: 100. In 5 last years (1806-1810), average 297,000 to 196,000, or 151: 100, Pop. Abs. Prel. Obs. 22.

In the bills of mortality for London, abortive and still-born children are included in the burials, to the number of about 600 annually; Price. Rev. Paym. In 10 years (1801-1810), 5437; Milne, Ann. In the 5 last years (1813–1817), 3551, or, on an average, 710; Bills Mort. The whole number of still-born must be much greater; being in proportion of 5 to 100 born alive; Dr. Clark, The unbaptised are not fewer; for more die in the first fortnight, than are still-born; ib. but not all unchristened.

I Add one-sixth to the registered baptisms; and one-twelfth to the registered burials; Malthus, Pop. ii.

** Malthus.

++ In five years, 1781-1795, Bap. 86,316, Bur. 94,103, Aver. 17,263: 18,991. five years, 1796-1800, Bap. 93,544, Bur. 95,659, Aver. 18,709 : 19,132.

100;* and for ten nearly the same; and the excess has increased in the present decade, the ratio being for the elapsed portion of it, 115 to 100, and for the last three years, 119 to 100.+

The Bills of Mortality are not supposed to be quite accurate. It appears from the parish abstracts, returned under the Population Acts, that in the last twenty years of the past century, the proportion of baptisms to burials was 92 to 100; but, according to the bills, 94 to 100 and in the first ten years of the present century, III to 100; but, according to the bills, 108 to 100. Presuming that the bills of mor tality will not prove to be now more inaccurate, compared with the abstracts to be returned for a future census, than heretofore, there appears to be suffi cient evidence, that the excess of births above the deaths within the metropolis is in progress of increase. The town then is no longer a drain upon the country for maintaining the number of its inhabitants, which it upholds and even augments.

Marylebone, which is not included within the bills of imortality, is the most populous parish in Great Britain. The number of its inhabitants, which was 63,92, according to the enumeration in 1801, and 75,624 according to that of 1811, is almost a twelfth part of the population of the metropolis, and 125th of that of England. It equals, or nearly does so, the aggregate of other parishes contiguous to Loudon, and comprising a portion of the suburbs, though not comprehended in the bills of mortality.

1810; the proportion being severally, 96 to 100; 110 to 100; and 108 to 100. The excess of registered births above deaths is become yet greater, being for the seven years which have since elapsed, 138 to 100; and for the three last, 157 to 100.**

In the parish of Marylebone, the burials of persons denominated foreigners

amount to rather more than 165 annually; and if these were excluded, the excess of births above deaths would appear to be yet greater.

One of the most populous parishes beyond the precincts of the metropolis is Hampstead. Being a resort of the sick on account of the reputed salubrily of the spot, many sojourners die and are interred there; and the fuserals, according to the abstracts returned for the census, continued to exceed the baptisms to the latest period of those returns (1810). The population of the place was 4343 in 1801, and 5193 in 1811; but the funerals in the intermediate ten years were 1377, and bap tisms 1124. An accession of inhabitants replaced the deficiency and aug mented the number in no less a ratio than as 5 to 4.

In the last five years, the baptisms in this parish have been 6.6, and bu rials 642; or in the proportion of 101 to 100 nearly; instead of the former ratio 82 to 100, on the medium of ten years ++

As an instance of a rural parish in the vicinity of the metropolis, more than eight and less than ten miles distant from it, the parish of Edgeware bas been taken, and upon no other ground of selection besides the accidental circumstance of facility in consulting its register.

The registered baptisms in this parish nearly equalled the burials in the ten years from 1781 to 1790; and exceeded them in the next ten, 1791 to 1800; as also in the ten following. 1801 to * In nve years, 1801-1805, Bap. 109,553, Bur. 92,556, Aver. 20,111: 18,571. ten years, 1801-1810. Bap. 199,797, Bur. 185,736

The proportion of births to deaths has in this parish increased from the

+ In seven years, 1811-1817, Bap. 152 871, Bur. 133,287, Aver 21,839:19,041. three years, 1815-1817, Bap. 71,124, Bur. 59,844, Aver. 23,708: 19,921. Abstracts of Par. Reg. 1:81-1800, Bap. 394,309, Bur 422.404.

Bills of Mortality..

Bap. 266,191, Bur. 389,491,

Abstracts of Par. Reg. 180!-1810, Bap. 210,454, Bur. 188,910,

Bills of Mortality....

...Bap. 199,797, Bur. 185,655.

Paneras. Paddington, Kensington, and Chelsea, contained 53,922 inhabitants in 1801, and $0,080 in 1811. To the five out parishes mentioned, Camberwell should be added; it contained 7059 persons in 1801, and 11,309 in 1811.

In ten years, 1781-1790, Bap. 12,325, Bur. 12,871,

1791-1800, Bap. 17,410, Bur. 14,880.

1801-1810, Bap. 18,991, Bur, 17,553.

Printed Ace. Rec. and Dish, of the Rates of St. Marylebone. ** In seven years, 1811-1817, Bap. 57.432, Bur. 12,660, Aver. 2.490: 1,809. three years, 1815-1817, Bap. 7,977, Bur. 5,089, Aver. 2,659: 1,696.

+ In ten years, 1801-1810, Bap. 1,124, Bur. 1,377.

five years, 1813-1817, Bap.

616, Bur.

642, Aver.

129: 128.

ratio of 123 : 100, which the average of ten years exhibited to that of 138: 100, on the medium of the seven subsequent years; and 147: 100 in the three last.* Considering that Marylebone, Hampstead, and Edgeware, are no unfair specimens of three classes of parishes in and near London, it is apparent from these instances, in concurrence with the bills of mortality, that within the metropolis and its immediate vicinity, the population of which is not less than a tenth of that of Great Britain, the number of inhabitants has continued to increase since the census of 1811; and at an accelerated rate. And, as the number of inhabitants of all Great Britain has hitherto been found to increase faster than that of the metropolis, it seems fairly to be inferred as a probable result to be expected from the next census, that the population of all Great Britain will appear to have been increasing to this time with yet greater rapidity than the results of the former census showed.

To bring this conclusion to the test of a comparison with information collected from remote parts of the kingdom, would require more extensive research, than can well be undertaken by an individual. The registers of a few distant parishes have been consulted; and the results, as might be expected, are various. It is, however, conceived, that the continued rapid growth of the capital city does assuredly indicate a continuance of quick increase of populousness of the country in gene

ral.

H.T. C. Journal of Science, No. XV.

A FRAGMENT.

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suspended-The blood recoiled in my veins, and flowed back to its source, almost checking life's animation-My eyes swam-An intensely acute pain passed with burning heat through iny brain, my heart beat in rapid palpitation, and I clung nearly senseless to the iron railing of the neighbouring building-She passed on-A frightful glare of indignant hate flashed from her eyes-Scorn mounted her brow, Pride sat on her lip, aud curses quivered on her tongue-Her whole countenance bespoke demoniacal revengeI suddenly recovered myself, and in the bitterness of my feelings I gave utterance to these words- May this hour be the forerunner of thy future misery-May each moment of pleasure be repaid by its attendant day of pain— May the cankerworm of fear westle in thy bosom, and pillow on thy heartMay the expectancy of hope but increase the regret of disappointmentMay sorrow wreathe itself with thy joys in inextricable folds-May Misery be around thy bed, and want in all its hideousness of form encircle thy couch

May thy sleep be waking, thy dreams terrors, thy rest restless-May the future breath of Love be more baneful than the noxious blast of the upas treeMay the day of thy marriage be the eternity of thy wretchedness- May thy children be conceived in contention, generated in strife, and born in hatred

May the continuance of thy life be the prolongation of thy sufferingsAnd oh! when death's disease shall invade thy wasted form, may the bitterness of recollection burst upon thy memory, and in incessant repetitionrecall the perfidy you practised, the deception you pursued – Then may you perceive, when it is too late, the folly of the pride you gloried in, the tinsel glare of the world's approbation you courted

Then will your curse be to me a lessing, your imprecations will impart to me happiness, and I shall be happy-And if that moment can be barbed with one more piercing pang, may it be, that you may know-I have forgiven you."

9

In ten years, 1801-1810, Bap. 111, Bu,
Seven years, 1811–1817, Bap. 105. Bu, 76, Aver. 15:11.
Five years.
1813-117, Bap. 87, Bu. 59, Aver. 17: 12.

Population, 412 in 1801; and 543 in 1811.

ATALABA.

+ The population of London and its neighbourhood, within eight miles around the cathedral of St. Paul's, was 1,220.000, according to the census of 1811; and that of all Great Britain, with the army and navy, was 12,596,803. Pop. Abs. Carrying the vicimage to ten miles, the proportion is as stated,

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THE

LONDON REVIEW,

AND

LITERARY JOURNAL,

FOR JULY, 1818.

QUID SIT PULCHRUM, QUID TURPE, QUID UTILE, QUID NON.

Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth,
By Miss Aikin. 2 vols. 8vo.

HERE are few English by whom

Tibeth are feet this work can be

received with indifference. At the men-
tion of Elizabeth and her Court, the
imagination kindles with enthusiasm;
our patriotic sentiments are awakened;
and we freely indulge in retrospections
which flatter our national pride, and
exalt our sense of national importance.
The specious Leicester and the faithful
Cecil, the impetuous Essex and the
heroic Sidney, rise in succession; whilst
the lofty magnificence of Kenilworth,
the masques and revels, and tilts and
tournaments, fit before us. In this
magic circle of youth and beauty and
royalty, we catch the chivalrous strains
of Spenser, and the more exquisite strain
of nature from Shakspeare Under the
auspices of the maiden queen, we behold
the English drama called into existence,
and witness the consecration, if not the
creation, of national literature. Sach is
the period selected by Miss Aikin. To
say that she has proved herself adequate
to the task, and worthy of her subject,
is brief, but comprehensive, praise; and
might, perhaps, entitie her to take a
place with the first historical writers of
modern Europe She is unquestionably
the first of our age and country who has
identified with the philosophical histo-
rian the descriptive narrator and the
rainute biographer. In giving accurate
details of customs, usages, and man-
ners, she has not omitted to present
a regular series of political events, nor
forgotten to take wide and comprehen-
sive views of human society in her rich
and interesting sketches of domestic
literature. The life of Elizabeth com,
mences with her birth, and very properly
includes a portion of her father's reign,

In that turbulent period, so fertile in calamities and crimes, the state of Ire, land was truly afflictive. The following touching narrative of the unfortunate

Filzgerald illustrates the character of

Henry, who if not so subtle as Tiberius, in his declining years became equally cruel and vindictive.

"Soon after these events, Henry con Armed the new impressions which his subjects had received of his character, by an act of extraordinary, but not unprovoked, severity, which involved in destruction one of the most ancient and powerful houses among the peerage of Ireland, that of Fitzgerald Earl of Kil, dare. The nobleman who now bore this title had married for his second wife Lady Elizabeth Grey, daughter of the first Marquis of Dorset, and first-cousia to the king by his mother; he had been favoured at court, and was at this time lord deputy of Ireland. But the country being in a very disturbed state, and the deputy accused of many acts of violence. he had obeyed with great reluctance a summons to answer for his conduct hefore the king in council, leaving his eldest son to exercise his office during On his arrival, he was his absence. committed to the Tower; and his son, alarmed by the false report of his having lost his head, broke out immediately: into a furious rebellion. After a temporary success, Thomas Fitzgerald was reduced to great difficulties: at the same time a promise of pardon was held out to hin; and confiding in it, he surrendered himself to Lord Leonard. Grey, brother to the countess his stepmother. His tive uncles, also implicated in the guilt of rebellion, were seized by surprise. or deceived into submission. The whole six were then conveyed to England in the same ship; and all, in spite of the entreaties and

remonstrances of Lord Leonard Grey, who considered his own honour as pledged for the safety of their lives, were hanged at Tyburn.

"The aged earl had died in the Tower on receiving news of his son's rash enter prise; and a posthumous attainder being issued against him, his lands and goods were forfeited. The king how ever, in pity to the widow, and as a slight atonement for so cruel an injustice, permitted one of her daughters to retain some poor remains of the family plate and valuables; and another of them, coming to England, appears to have received her education at Hunsdon Palace with the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth her relations. Here she was seen by Henry Earl of Surry, whose chaste and elegant muse has handed her down to posterity as the lovely Geraldine, the object of his fervent but fruitless devotion. She was married first to Sir Anthony Brown, and afterwards became the wife of the Earl of Lincoln, surviving by many years her noble and unfortunate admirer.

"The Countess of Kildare, and the younger of her two sons, likewise remained in England obscure and unmolested; but the merciless rancour of Henry against the house of Fitzgerald still pursued its destitute and unoffending heir, who was struggling through a series of adventures the most perilous and the most romantic.

"This boy, named Gerald, then about twelve years old, had been left by his father at a house in Kildare, under the care and tuition of Leverous a priest, who was his foster brother. The child was lying ill of the small-pox, when the news arrived that his brother and uncles had been sent prisoners to England: but his affectionate guardian, justly apprehensive of greater danger to his young charge, wrapped him up as carefully as he could, and conveyed him away with all speed to the house of one of his sisters, where he remained till be was quite recovered. Thence his tutor removed him successively into the territories of two or three different Irish chieftains, who sheltered him for about three quarters of a year; after which he carried him to his aunt the Lady Elemor, at that time widow of a chief named Maccarty Reagh.

This lady had long been sought in marriage by O'Donnel, Lord of Tyrconnel, to whose suit she had been unpropitious; but wrought upon by

the hope of being able to afford effectual protection to her unfortunate nephew, she now consented to an immediate union; and taking Gerald along with her to her new home in the county of Donegal, she there hospitably entertained him for about a year. But the jealous spirit of the implacable king seemed to know no rest while this devoted youth still breathed the air of liberty, and he caused a great reward to be offered for his apprehension, which the baseminded O'Donnel immediately sought to appropriate by delivering him up. Fortunately the Lady Elenor discovered his intentions in time; and instantly causing her nephew to disguise his person, and storing him, like a bountiful aunt, with "sevenscore Portugueses," she put him under the charge of Leverous and an old servant of his father's, and shipped him on board a vessel bound for St. Malo`s.

"Having thus secured his escape, she loftily expostulated with her hus band on his villainy in plotting to betray her kinsman, whom she had stipulated that he should protect to the utmost of his power; and she bid him know, that as the danger of the youth had alone induced her to form any connexion with him, so the assurance of his safety should cause her to se quester herself for ever from the society of so basc and mercenary a wretch: and hereupon, collecting all that belonged to her, she quitted O'Donnel and returned to her own country."

The adventures of the unfortunate Gerald are continued, and form a highly interesting episode. Miss Aikin is eminently successful, in the grace with which she introduces these digressions, or rather illustrations of history, which are, perhaps, necessary to elucidate the character of the age. On this subject she makes a remark, not more admirable for its philosophical truth than for the eloquence with which it is expressed.

"It is melancholy, it is even disgusting, to dwell upon these acts of legalized atrocity, but let it be allowed that it is important and instructive. They form unhappily a leading feature of the administration of Henry VIII. during the latter years of his reign; they exhibit in the most striking point of view the sentiments and practices of the age; and may assist us to form a juster estimate of the character and conduct of Elizabeth, whose infant unind was?

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