Mr. Worcester on Longevity. Al 
It is a matter of regret that the census of the United States, 
from the manner in which it has hitherto been taken, affords so 
little satisfactory information in relation to the principal topics 
which have been here considered. The successive enumerations 
of the inhabitants of this country, by the rapid increase which 
they have exhibited, have attracted the attention of the philoso- 
phers of Europe, and have given them new views respecting the 
principle of population. But the census might be taken in such 
a manner that it would furnish a document vastly more interesting 
and useful both to them and to ourselves. 
Since the first census, that of 1790, some valuable alterations 
have been made ; yet every one who will duly consider the sub- 
ject, will be readily convinced that further important improve- 
ments might be introduced. In the census of 1790, the inhabi- 
tants were divided into the five following classes. 
1. Free white males under 16 years of age. 
2. Free white males of 16 years and upwards. 
3. Free white females of all ages. 
4, All other free persons. 
5. Male and female slaves. 
In the last census, that of 1820, the free white males and fe- 
males were each divided into the five following classes. 
1. All those under 10 years of age. 
2. All those of 10 and under 16. 
3, All those of 16 and under 26. 
4. All those of 26 and under 45. 
5. All those of 45 and upwards. 
In addition to these divisions, the free white males between 16 
and 18 were placed in a separate column. 
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