126 REPORT — 1856. 



international meetings was suggested by the analogy of the Hyde Park Exhibition 

 of 1851. 



Should the eVent I allude to take place, it will become the duty of all concerned 

 in statistical science to see that such an opportunity does not pass unimproved ; so 

 that 1858 may find us with a thoroughly organized system for the annual collection 

 and publication of national facts, assimilated, if possible, to the systems of France 

 and Belgium. For it must be borne in mind, that the objects to be aimed at are 

 two : one, the adoption of a method as perfect in itself as possible ; the other, the 

 assimilation of that method to those which prevail elsewhere, so that nations may 

 mutually profit by each other's experience. 



As a proof how much such comparing of notes is required, I may remind you that 

 the census of Ireland and Scotland was taken in a manner different from that of 

 England, while no attempt has ever been made to bring the entire British empire, 

 including India and the colonies, under a single statistical organization. 



The constitution of such a statistical department as we require is matter of fair 

 discussion at the approaching Congress. Probably the most effective combination 

 of working talent would be that obtained by the appointment of a Commission or 

 Board, to preside over the issuing of official publications, partly composed of scientific 

 men, partly of members of the permanent or parliamentary administration (the for- 

 mer preferably, as having more leisure), who would bring in the necessary element 

 of a knowledge of official customs. This is, I believe, the system actually existing 

 in Belgium. In Prussia there is a Minister at the head of the Statistical Department. 

 Those who wish to see the question more fully discussed, will find information in a 

 valuable Report by Dr. Farr to the Registrar- General, dated October, 1855, p. 108 

 et seq., of the Registrar- General's Sixteenth Annual Report. It was also gone into 

 at the Paris Congress of 1855, and a debate upon it will be found in the volume of 

 Proceedings, s. 360 et seq. 



1 wish also to point out to the Association the advantage of such a communication 

 between the Home Government and the leading British colonies, in reference to the 

 approaching Congress, as may enable such of them as desire it to represent themselves 

 by means of delegates. 



Before I conclude, let me read two letters from the Secretary to the London Sta- 

 tistical Society, giving an account of an important work in which its members are 

 engaged, the only work of the kind which the Society has just now on hand, 



"Statistical Society, 12 St. James's Square, 

 London, 51h August, 1856. 



" My Lord, — A Committee was appointed by this Society on the ■25th January 

 of this year to collect information relating to the Beneficent Institutions of the Me- 

 tropolis. The class of institutions to which their attention was first directed was 

 the Medical Charities. They have received reports from 49 hospitals, of which the 

 total annual income is £352,370, and from 58 dispensaries, with a total annual 

 income of £28,192 ; besides this, the Samaritan and other small funds connected 

 with hospitals have an income of £1656 ; the Poor-Law-Board's expenses for medi- 

 cal officers are £28,000, and for vaccination £4000, so that the total sum expended 

 in medical relief in the Metropolis is £414,218 per annum. The Committee will 

 shortly be able to publish a detailed account of the items of which this income con- 

 sists, deduced from the reports of the institutions themselves. 



" I am, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient Servant, 



" Edward Tudor Scargill." 

 " Lord Stanley, M.P." 



" Statistical Society, 12 St. James's Square, 

 London, August 6th, 1856. 



" Sir, — I have received from Mr. Lumley, this morning, the Returns relative to 

 the expenses of the Poor-Law-Board in the Metropolis. 



