statistical Notices. 283 



favourable ; in fact, it contains, strictly speaking, nothing to 

 criticise. It is minute, laborious, and very unpretending, 

 and contains a body of instructions for the performance of 

 experiments, and of descriptions of the modes of managing 

 and applying apparatus, which is not to be had elsewhere, 

 being manifestly derived from diligent research, extensive 

 experience, and correct judgment. It is not a book for 

 amateurs, for they will presently learn from it that there is 

 no royal road to the science of which it treats ; but the real 

 student, who will seriously follow its laborious details, will 

 discover in them an acceptable and sure guide through the 

 prooked and intricate, as well as the straight paths of che- 

 mistry. Those, however, and those only, who are well versed 

 in the business of the laboratory, both as experimentalists 

 and teachers, can duly appreciate the weighty service which 

 Mr. Faraday has here performed. 



Statistical Notices suggested by the actual State of the British 

 Empire^ as exhibited in the last Population Census. Com- 

 municated by Mr. Merritt. 

 [Read before the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool.] 



The population returns of the decennial lustrum, or period of 

 ten years, which ended in 1821, were delayed for a considerable 

 time, on account of the difficulties which have always occurred 

 in taking the population of Ireland. They have now, however, 

 been some time completed, and from the data they afford, a 

 few reflections naturally present themselves, which though 

 sufficiently obvious, yet, from the extreme interest of the sub- 

 ject, may be thought deserving of being brought together, and 

 exhibited in a connected form. They point out some pecu- 

 liarities in the situation of this country, which distinguish it 

 from almost every other nation that has yet existed in ancient 

 or modern times. 



From the notices which have been published respecting the 

 different districts, it may be inferred, that the portion which 

 may be termed the Urban population, has augmented in a 

 much greater degree than the Rural. The general ratio of 

 increase has, however, been very great, and, in the opinion of 

 Mr, Malthus, still continues at the same rate. That eminent 



