280 Mr. J. Barton on the hifluence of high and low Prices 



and dovetail into the irregular fluctuations of the rate of mor- 

 tality, that the results, when collected and arranged, exhibit 

 all the uniformity of a permanent law of nature, will any per- 

 son of competent judgement assert that the coincidence is ac- 

 cidental ? 



As far as the objections of the reviewer are concerned, I 

 might, I think, content myself with these observations ; but as 

 it is a matter of considerable importance and curiosity, not 

 merely to determine in general terms whether low prices 

 exercise an unfavourable influence on human life, but to ob- 

 tain a measure of the quantum of that unfavourable influence, 

 I have sought for the best means of eliminating the circum- 

 stances alluded to by the reviewer, so as to present a correct 

 statement of the influence of the price of corn on the rate of 

 mortality, freed from all disturbing causes. The most likely 

 method of accomplishing this purpose seems to be to select for 

 the basis of our calculation a period such, that on dividing it 

 into two equal portions, the average price during each of these 

 portions shall be as nearly equaUas circumstances admit. 

 Thus, if we select for this purpose the forty years from 1791 

 to 1830, we shall have 



The average bullion price of "I = 



wheat from J 



Thesamefrom 1811 to 1830 = 66s. 3d.* 



If now we suppose a progressive and uniform improvement 

 in medical science and in the habits of the people to have 

 taken place during these forty years, it is evident that a nearly 

 equal proportion of the influence of these favourable circum- 

 stances will fall on years of high price and on years of low 

 price, since these years are so equally distributed through 

 the two periods as to give for the average of the first twenty 

 years, within a trifle, the same sum as for the average of the 

 last twenty years. 



The following Table contains the results of that calcula- 

 tion: 



If we exclude the years of scarcity, 1795, 1800, and 1801, we have 



The average of the first nineteen years 65*. Od. 



The same of the last eighteen years 65s. 9d. 



