164 ALFRED FRYER ON SOME PECULIARITIES OF THE 



life there has rapidly increased each twenty years. First 

 twenty years, 39 ; second, 45 ; third, 49. The women who 

 died in Lancaster during the last twenty years attained the 

 age of 53 f, and adding 3 for the correction it would be 56^ ; 

 but one circumstance, affecting the duration of life of Friends 

 in Lancaster, must be borne in mind, namely, that the number 

 of Friends there has steadily decreased, this will tend to make 

 the average age appear greater. 



Preston. The number living in this town was so small 

 that no safe comparison can be made of the relative duration 

 of life at different periods ; but if we take the total deaths in 

 sixty years, we find the average duration of life 30 years, 

 which must be considered low. More interments of those 

 not members than the average took place in the graveyard 

 of Friends at Preston; this will cause the average duration 

 of life there to appear less. 



In Liverpool the records present a very singular appear- 

 ance; they show for the first twenty years, duration of life 

 25 years; second, 41; third, 34 J. This may, in part, be 

 accounted for on the supposition that the number of Friends 

 decreased after the first twenty years, and after the second 

 twenty increased again. The number of deaths recorded 

 would bear out this supposition, and thus the latter number 

 would a little exceed the correct amount, and the former be a 

 little less. Still this does not fully account for the difference. 



It would be hazardous and unsafe on this authority alone 

 to assume that the sanitary condition of Liverpool improved 

 up to a certain date; after which, that the extension of 

 docks, the free immigration of the Irish with their habits, the 

 rapid extension of the town without an efficient system of 

 sewers, together with other causes, caused it to deteriorate. 



Bad as the statistics of mortality make Manchester appear 

 when compared with other towns, it is cheering to see a 

 progressive and steady increase in the duration of life, not 

 retarded by the increase of the population, nor checked by 

 the yearly increasing smoke and sulphur which we are told 

 are so deadly in their effects. No doubt these are bad 

 enough, but it is pleasant to turn to the brighter side and 



