Various Tables of Annuities. 



331 



Now the average number of deaths in London is about 20,000, 

 and the actual number varies very little. 



Observations such as those presented by Mr. Finlaison, where 

 the deaths are given at every age, are particularly well calculated 

 to determine delicate points, such as any small increase of the 

 rate of mortality at diiFerent ages. A small increase of mortality 

 according- to Mr. Finlaison's Tables takes place about 23, thus in 

 observation 19, p. 56, of Mr. Finlaison's report, it appears that 

 there is a minimum of mortality at 13, a maximum at 23, and a 

 minimum again at 33. This does not obtain in Mr. Finlaison's 

 observations on females. It is very remarkable that the same 

 circumstance is to be observed in the Chester Tables, though 

 here it is found equally in the Tables for males and females: 

 this appears to me a great proof of their accuracy, and of the 

 fidelity with which Dr. Haygarth recorded the facts which were 

 presented to him. Dr. Price says, "The Bills (for Northampton) 

 g-ive the numbers dying annually between 20 and 30 greater than 

 between 30 and 40, but this being a circumstance which does 

 not exist in any other register of mortality, and undoubtedly 

 owing to some accident and local causes, the decrements were 

 made equal between 20 and 40," &c. Vol. II. p. 97. 



However accurate the observations be upon which Mr. Fin- 

 laison's results are founded, it must be recollected that the lives 

 were selected from a selected class, and it remains to be shewn, 

 that the mortality in the lower classes of society is the same 

 as in the higher, and that .selection produces no effect on the 

 results. 



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