Climate of Whitehaven. 239 



it, and in five minutes more no trace of it was to be seen. The arch 

 in disappearing diminished in altitude several degrees. By 9^ 40™, 

 the aurora had entirely vanished. A most unusual number of shoot- 

 ing stars were observed during the continuance of the aurora. At 

 11^, auroral blushing in the NW., extending to the altitude of Ursa 

 Major. This aurora was seen at Durham under similar circumstances 

 and about the same time. The magnets at Greenwich were much 

 disturbed on the 1st and 2d, and also on the 30th of September. 



The mean atmospheric pressure and temperature of 1850 are 

 nearly coincident with the averages of the preceding seventeen years. 

 The fall of rain (40*47 inches) and the evaporation (27'35 inches) 

 are both under a mean quantity ; the former by 6*48 inches, and 

 the latter by 2*47 inches. In 1849, the depth of rain fell short of 

 the average by 7'9 inches, being the driest year since 1844. The 

 evaporation exceeds the fall of rain in the months of March, May, 

 June, and September ; the greatest depth evaporated in twenty-four 

 hours was 0-293 on the 6th of June, and the least '008 on the 20th 

 of January. 



The deaths in 1850 are 482, being 59, or nearly ten per cent, 

 under the average number ; the births exceed the deaths by 206, 

 and are 24 above the average of the preceding eleven years, from 

 1839 to 1849 inclusive. In the seven years ending with 1845, the 

 mean annual number of deaths in the town and suburb, with an 

 assumed population of 17,867, is 410, being 22*9 per thousand, or one 

 death in every 43*5 persons. In 1846, 1847, and 1848 (assumed 

 average population 18,329), the mean annual number is 694, being 

 37*8 deaths per thousand, or one in every 26*4 persons in those 

 three most unhealthy years. In 1849, the deaths are 606, which, 

 assuming the population to be the same as in 1848, give 32*2 deaths 

 per 1000, or one death in every 31 persons. The average annual 

 number of deaths in the ten years 1839-48 is 495, which, with an 

 assumed population of 17,713, gives 27*9 per 1000, or one death in 

 every 35*7 inhabitants. 



The mortality in the town and suburb in 1850, with a population 

 of 19,281, is equivalent to 24*9 deaths per thousand, or one death in 

 every 40 inhabitants. This marked improvement in the sanitary 

 condition of Whitehaven has no doubt been greatly promoted by the 

 plentiful supply of pure water conveyed to the town from Ennerdale 

 Lake, by which the conduits and sewers are kept thoroughly cleansed, 

 and the atmosphere is no longer contaminated by the accumulation of 

 animal and vegetable refuse matter, to which most epidemic diseases 

 are indebted for their origin and propagation. 



Observatory, Whitehaven, 

 July 15, 1851. 



