the introduction of children a few months old materially affecting the death rate. In the following table the mortality percent for each year under 5 years of age, and the aggregate mortality under that age out of 100 children born, according to the present observations, are compared with that of various other Life Tables. It should be noticed, in reference to the mortality amongst Clergymen's Children, that the Rev. Mr. Hodgson's statistics embraced only 139 deaths under five years of age, also that the difference in the mortality of Males and Females at age 0 is very much greater than that observable in any other table. The percentages in the column headed "Isle of Thanet" are obtained from Mr. Hodgson's statistics of 1839 Children resident in that part of the County of Kent, referred to in the commencement of this paper. A glance at the mortality of both sexes combined, in the comparative table, will show how unsuitable the Carlisle and English Life Tables are for the purpose of calculating the premiums for Children's Endowments, to which purpose they are frequently applied. Ages. Dissenting Children of Isle of Peerage Districts (Farr). (3) Life The Table of Mortality, deduced from these observatio been based upon the combined Male and Female Experien the numbers living at ages 4 to 21 inclusive have been adjus means of Mr. Woolhouse's method, explained in the Journal Institute (vol. xv page 389), the numbers-living at ages and 3 being left untouched. The values of single and premiums for Children's Endowments, payable at ages 14 a at 3, 3 and 4 percent interest, have been computed upo basis of the adjusted table, and will, I trust, be found usefu trustworthy by those who may have occasion to employ them TABLE II.-Adjusted Mortality. ABLE I.—Mortality amongst 1653 Children born to 313 Dissenting Ministers residing in Great Britain, embracing 22502 Years 1872.] in Infancy and Childhood. 35 1366. 1322 34 1305. 21 1267 34 1250. 1224 29 1209.5 14 1.1575 581 26 568' 2 1181 50 1156. .7785 1637.5 149 9.0991 909009 9585682-0000000 100000 9099 569 26 556⚫ 1 553 19 543.5 80 159 159 9964745 9098205 81250 657 997700 9990000 9034856 80073 184 11 9980482-8950908 78540 352 15 994796 9977340 8903462 77687 405 17 8311522 67788.. 01234 1 = TABLE IV. Children's Endowments.-Nett Annual Premiums Endowment of 1. Age. PAYABLE AT AGE 14. PAYABLE AT AGE 21. 3 percent. 34 percent. 4 percent. 3 percent. 3 percent. 4 percer [Reprinted from the "Companion to the Almanac" for the Year 1872.] STATISTICS, generally considered, is a term of very comprehensive import, and is to be understood as having reference to an important collection of facts properly arranged and systematized in the form of numerical tables, for the purpose of conveying such information or data as may best assist in the investigation and discussion of particular subjects of inquiry. The general principles applicable to these investigations are, for the most part, intimately allied with the mathematical theory of probabilities, and constitute the true science of statistics. It will, moreover, be found, on examination, that the same identical principles lie at the foundation of all the physical and inductive sciences so far as they originally and necessarily depend upon experiment and observation. The word statistics, derived from the Latin, status, signifies a state, condition, or standing. The subject of statistics has, however, by some writers, been unnecessarily restricted to that department of political science which is concerned in collecting and arranging facts illustrative of the condition and resources of a nation. It is chiefly to the advancement and growing importance of political economy that we are indebted for the cultivation of this particular branch of statistics. The fundamental doctrines of that science, which are directly concerned about the prosperity and happiness of mankind, were not reduced to any method or system until the middle of the last century; and since that time political economy has been more assiduously cultivated as an inductive science. The truth of preconceived theories has been. practically tested by the observations and analysis of facts; and new principles have been gradually discovered and established by the same means. It therefore becomes the duty of a government to apply all the means in its power in aid of statistics, not only for general information and the administration of the affairs of state, but also for the advancement of political science. In the report of the third meeting of the British Association it is stated that, in addition to the five then existing sections another, originating with some distinguished philosophers, had come into operation, the object of which was to promote statistical inquiries. The president, Professor Sedgwick, in justification of the addition of this sixth section, furthermore stated, that statistical inquiries may be made compatible with the objects of the British Associat they have to do with matters of fact with |