154 ALFRED FRYER ON SOME I U1TIE8 OF THE 



of life ? If there is any difference, Low much ? And, if so, 

 at what time of life is the poison of towns most fatal? 



Little is known of the average duration of life of the same 

 class of people for successive generations. 



To endeavour to throw some light on the above questions 

 is the object of this paper; nevertheless several other subjects 

 are included, some presenting features of novelty, others cor- 

 roborative of facts already known to the statistician. 



In comparing the average duration of life in different times 

 and places, it has appeared difficult to obtain any community 

 whose general circumstances did not allow of changes suf- 

 ficient to disturb the calculation. 



The Society of Friends offers itself as the most promising ; 

 their habits have changed less than those of any well-marked 

 class, and they have kept the same relative position in the 

 wealth and industry of the country. 



It is pretty well known that the average duration of life in 

 the Society of Friends greatly exceeds that of the people of 

 England generally. The fact has been recorded in the first 

 " report of the commissioners for inquiring into the state of 

 large towns and populous districts ; " and is also pointed out 

 in the last edition of Johnstone's Physical Atlas, in the letter- 

 press appended to the map of "health and disease." 



This low rate of mortality has been usually attributed to 

 the following circumstances : — 



1st. Great attention is paid to cleanliness in their persons 

 and houses. 



2nd. They rarely drink to excess or indulge in other in- 

 temperance. 



3rd. Their children receive careful instruction, and the 

 Society takes charge of the education of the poor among 

 them. 



4th. None of their members suffer from the want of suit- 

 able food or adequate clothing, as the Society maintains its 

 own poor. 



