Section II, 1891. [ 113 ] Trans. Roy. See. Canada. 



V. — On the Moral and Metaphy-ncal Element in Statidics. 

 By Mr. GrEORGE Hague. 



(Communicated by Sir Wliliam Dawson, and read May 27, 1891.1 



At the meeting of the British Association for the Advaucement of Science held in 

 Montreal some years ago, an interesting paper was read to the Economic Section, in which 

 a comparison was made between the wealth of the United Kingdom and that of the United 

 States. It was then concluded that the preponderance of wealth was in the United States. 



There appeared about the same time, in an able financial journal in New York, a 

 reference to the same subject. The reference had, as was evident, no connection with the 

 paper read before the British Association. This journal, however, ridiculed the idea of 

 the wealth of the United States being even on an equality with that of G-reat Britain, 

 a conclusion which, as it was contrary to the patriotic instincts of an American and being 

 from a competent authority, may be taken as worthy of note. 



This divergence of view between authorities both entitled to speak with weight led 

 me to a consideration of how far strict accuracy is attainable in certain departments of 

 statistics ; which involves the further question, how far any given statistical statements in 

 their origin are affected by the mental and moral condition of those who furnish the 

 primary materials for them. 



I have come to the conclusion, after a somewhat long experience, that mental and 

 moral elements are very powerful factors in the case. 



The accuracy of statements respecting population, production, extent of trade, and 

 amount of wealth, depends upon the accuracy of numerous compilations and compari- 

 sons. These compilations and comparisons are primarily founded upon statements made 

 by numbers of single individuals of various degrees of mental capacity, who, besides hav- 

 ing the liability to error common to all human beings, are at times swayed by tendencies 

 of a political, national or moral character. 



The whole question then of statistics carries us finally down to the character and 

 competency of individuals, and the reliableness or otherwise of what they state. 



1. It is obviously more easy to attain absolute accuracy with respect to some depart- 

 ments of statistics than with regard to others. Statistics of quantities, numbers and 

 areas are more easy to arrive at than statistics of value. 



It is easier to arrive at accuracy respecting quantities of things, than of numbers of 

 people ; easier to determine weights than numbers ; more easy to obtain accuracy in 

 counting things immovable than of things movable, or actually moving. 



2. To illustrate the argument ' : — 



' The illustrations are taken either from England or the United States, as the original comparison which gave 

 rise to this paper was as to their respective wealth. 



Sec. II, 1891. 15. 



