174 REPORT—1840. 
1837, a year of destitution, when they fell to 1 in 120°76. From the 
table of births, it appeared that the ratio of males to females was as 22 
to 20, a proportion much above that of any country in Europe. In 
1831 the proportion of still-born was 1 in 14°49, a remarkable fact, as 
the ordinary average is about 1 in 20. The tables of deaths gave the 
mean annual mortality in Glasgow from 1822 to 1830, both inclusive, 
as 1 in 38°275; and from 1831 to 1839 as 1 in 31°896. The deaths 
under five years of age, for the nine years ending in 1830, were 42°91 
per cent.; and for the same period ending in 1839, they were 43°32 
per cent. It also appeared that the rate of mortality generally in 
Glasgow had increased during the last nine years, which was attributed 
to the increase of population beyond the suitable means of accom- 
modation, the fluctuations of trade, &c. The number of deaths from 
smallpox was very great, amounting to 406 in the year 1839. The 
prevalence of epidemic disease was illustrated by several tables, from 
which it appeared that their advance had been slow, unless when ex- 
treme destitution prevailed. 
On the Population, Trade and Commerce of the City of Glasgow. 
By Dr. CLELAND. 
The following are extracts :— 
Increase of the Population, Revenue, &c. of Glasgow. 
“ Population.—In 1801 the population, according to the Government 
census, was 83,769, and in 1840, according to the three subsequent 
decennial returns, including the nine years from 1831 to 1840, the 
population amounted to 271,656, showing an increase in 39 years of 
187,887 souls—a rate of increase, it is believed, unprecedented in this 
country. 
“ River Clyde—In 1800 the revenue of the River Clyde was 
33191. 16s. 6d. In 1839 it amounted to 43,2872. 16s. 10d., being an 
increase during 39 years of 39,968/. Os. 9d. 
“ Shipping in Glasgow.—In 1651, a Committee of the Scotch Parlia- 
ment appointed Commissioner Tucker to report on the Revenue of the 
Excise and Customs in Scotland, who stated that there were 12 vessels 
belonging to Glasgow; that the aggregate tonnage amounted to 957 
tons. In 1840 the house of Messrs. Pollock, Gilmour and Co., of this 
city, who are engaged chiefly in the North American timber trade, 
are owners of 21 ships, register 12,005 tons, navigated by 502 seamen. 
The house has eight different establishments that ship annually up- 
wards of six millions cubic feet of timber, to cut and collect which, 
and to prepare it for shipment, requires upwards of fifteen thousand 
men, and six hundred horses and oxen in constant employment. 
“ Steam Vessels——On the Ist of January 1812, there was only one 
steam vessel in Europe, the Comet of Glasgow, of 30 tons burthen, 
with an engine of three-horse power. Now almost every river teems 
with them. It appears from the Parliamentary Steam Vessel Inquiry, 
that on 11th February 1839, there were 766 steamers connected with 
