64 J. F. Miller, Esq., on the Climate of Whitehaven. 



fore afforded a smaller share of blue sky and a less amount of sun- 

 shine than usual, although the depth of rain and the number of 

 wet days are both helow the average for the locahty. 



The quantity of electricity in the air was extremely small down 

 to the end of July, after which it was restored to its average amount. 



This fact is strikingly exhibited by the following table of continu- 

 ous observations taken by M. Quetelet with Peltier's electrometer: — 



January, 



February 



March, 



April, 



May, 



June, 



July, 



August, 



September 



In 1849, the deaths exceed the calculated average number by 

 79, and the births exceed the deaths by 74. 



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 1 in every 26*4 persons in those three most un- 

 healthy 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 

 1 death in every 31 persons. The average annual number of deaths 

 in the ten years 1839-48 is 495, which, with an assumed popula- 

 tion of 17,713, gives 27'9 per 1000, or 1 death in every 35-7 

 inhabitants. 



So that the mortality in 1849, although still above the average, 

 shews a marked improvement in the health of the town as compared 

 with any of the three preceding years ; and, in the last quarter, the 

 deaths are below the average for the period. 



The Observatory, Whitehaven, 

 IZth March 1850. 



