TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 171 
On Statistics of Crime in Ireland, 1842 to 1856. By James MoncriErr 
Wiuson, Actuary, Manager of the Patriotic Assurance Company of 
Ireland. 
The state of crime in Ireland, for the period extending from the beginning of 1842 
to the end of 1856, was analysed so far as to show the classes of crime most prevalent 
during their course, a course made up partly of years of prosperity, but chiefly of 
years of adversity ; and a more complete analysis was made of the state of crime for 
the year 1851, showing the effect of age, sex, locality, education, general occupation, 
ee epetence and low-class house accommodation upon the amount of crime during 
that year. 
The following are some of the general conclusions derived from the facts established 
in the paper :— 
1. That the best measure of crime at present available is the computation of the 
persons committed or held to bail for trial at the assizes and quarter sessions. 
2, That when a person is thus committed or held to bail, the probabilities in fayour 
of his being conyicted are about fifty-six to forty-four. 
8. That no inquiry into criminal statistics can be of service unless the proportion of 
crime to population is taken into account. 
4. That although it is impossible to state the exact population of Ireland for each 
year from 1841 to 1856, that still approximations not very wide of the truth may be 
_made; and that in Table A are given about as accurate approximations to the real 
population in the different years referred to as could well be arrived at. 
5. That want and privation are fruitful multipliers of all classes of crime, and that 
to such a parentage we may safely look first, when we find a general and marked 
increase in the crime of a country, 
6. That although during the years of distress the tendency to every class of crime 
was greatly increased, it was chiefly offences against property, committed without 
violence, which swelled the eriminal calendar of Ireland. 
7. That in the year 1856, the tendency to crime in Ireland was certainly not 
greater, and perhaps less than the tendency to crime in England and Wales. 
8. That the criminal returns for Ireland are susceptible of very considerable im- 
provements, which if made, would greatly add to their value for practical purposes. 
__ 9. That among males the maximum tendency to crime for Ireland generally, and 
_ for each province separately, except Connaught, is at the period of life twenty-one and 
_ above sixteen, and for Connaught at the stage thirty and above twenty-one; and 
_ among females, for Ireland generally, and for each province separately, at the period 
thirty and above twenty-one ; and that in both cases the minimum tendency is at the 
‘period twelve and under. 
10. That the tendency to crime generally among males is only about two-fifth 
times the like tendency among females; but that were the petty offences against pro- 
“perty committed without violence to be dropped, the tendency to all other classes 
of crime among males would be between four and five times the like tendency among 
females. 
11. That the tendency to the class of crime termed “ Offences against the person,” 
attains its minimum among both sexes at the period of life thirty and above twenty- 
‘one; that the tendency to the classes “ Offences against property committed with and 
without violence,” reaches its maximum among females at the same period, but among 
“males at the earlier stage twenty-one and above sixteen; that the tendency to the 
‘elags “ Malicious offences against property,”’ is at its maximum among both sexes 
at the stage twenty-one and above sixteen; and that the tendency to the classes 
**Porgery and offences against the currency,” and “ Offences other than those before 
umerated,” is at its maximum also among both sexes at the period thirty and 
ve twenty-one. 
2. That among both sexes the tendency to each separate class of crime is at its 
imum at the period of life twelve and under. 
13. That popular education singly, but especially when combined with occupation, 
nds powerfully towards the diminution of crime. . 
_ 14, That the good effects of education and occupation upon crime are very seriously 
tarred by the abuse of intoxicating drinks. 
15. That low-class house accommodation tends towards the increase of crime, 
