( VI ) 



STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 



1st Quarter. — 171,001 birtlis and 125,902 deaths were registered 

 in the first ninety days of the year ; and the natural increase of 

 population in that period was therefore 45,099, or 501 daily. The 

 natural increase in the winter quarter of 1857 was 687 daily. The 

 falling o& in the increase of population is referable to the exces- 

 sively high rate of mortality during the past winter ; for the births 

 exceeded by 7 daily the births in the winter of 1857. The annual 

 rate of mortality for the three months was 2-627 per cent., or '155 

 in excess of the average of the winter quarters of the 10 preceding 

 years, which was 2*472 per cent. 



27id Quarter. — 169,170 births and 107,193 deaths were registered 

 in the quarter ending on June 30 ; and the natural increase of the 

 population of England and Wales was 61,977 in 91 days, or 681 

 daily. The probable natural increase of the population of the 

 United Kingdom was 1021 daily. In the preceding winter quarter 

 it was estimated at 750. The annual rate of mortality for the three 

 months was 2-206 per cent., or -019 below the average of the spring 

 quarters of the 10 preceding years. 



THE PEICE OF PKOVISIONS. 



1st Quarter. — The average price of wheat in the first three months 

 of 1850, 1857, and 1858 was respectively 72s. Ad., bQs. lOcZ., and 

 46s. M. a quarter. The fall of price since 1856 has been 36 per 

 cent., and since 1857 18 per cent. Beef and mutton by the carcase 

 at Newgate and Leadenhall markets were cheaper in the winter 

 quarter of 1858 than in that of 1857. The price of beef fell from 

 bid. to h\d. a pound, of mutton from OicZ. to 5|c/. a pound. Beef 

 was at the same price, mutton dearer, than in the first three months 

 of 1856. Potatoes attained an exorbitant price, York Eegents sell- 

 ing at the waterside market, Southwark, at 152s. Qd. per ton, 39 per 

 cent, higher than in 1857, and 77 per cent, higher than in 1856. 



2nd Quarter. — The price of wheat has been for the three months 

 of 1856, 1857, and 1858, 68s. M., 56s. M., and 44s. Id. per quarter; 

 of beef for the same periods bid., b^L, b\d. ; mutton b^d., bid., and 

 b^d. a pound. AVhile the price of animal food thus declined, and 

 that of wheat fell 36 per cent., the price of potatoes (York Eegents) 

 rose more than 100 per cent., viz. from 80s. and 128s., to 163s. a 

 ton, at the waterside market, Southwark. 



