Influence of ^ge, Seasons, 8fc. 347 



summed up. The maximum of crimes takes place in the period of life be- 

 tween the ages of 25 and 30. In this short term of five years, occur nearly 

 1-5 of the total number of crimes committed by either sex. Criminal ten- 

 dencies are developed earlier in man than woman : with the first they 

 gather comparatively greater strength between the ages of 16 and 21, and 

 on the other hand, decline more rapidly than with women, particularly 

 after the age of 35 j but beyond the ag3 of 50, culpable tendencies are 

 nearly the same in both. 



The influence of the seasons is shown in the difiereiit proportion of crimes 

 committed in the several months and quarters of the year. We omit the 

 table, the general result being that the greatest number of offences against 

 the person are committed in summer, the smallest number in winter, spring 

 and autumn being nearly alike ;* and that with respect to crimes against 

 property, these proportions are reversed, so that the maximum of one class 

 coincides with the minimum of the other j — a fact certainly worthy of ob- 

 servation, as illustrating the system of compensation that prevails through- 

 out nature. The different length of the days, rather than the variation of 

 temperature, is considered by M. G. as the chief cause of the influence 

 attributable to the seasons. 



After some remarks on the importance of studying the Statistics of 

 Insanity, with the view of determining if there is any connection between 

 the greater prevalence of mental derangement, and of violent crimes at the 

 same period of the year ; M. G. proceeds to an estimate of the force of 

 different passions and irregular habits in the production of the more serious 

 crimes. His conclusions on this subject (which are only very partially 

 shown by the table at footf) are strongly confirmatory of the position 

 which in this part of his work M. G. is led to dwell upon, viz. the coin- 



* TTie crime of infanticide is more frequent in the spring and \\anter than in the 

 other seasons, corresponding to the proportion of births in each period. The month 

 of March, in which this crime is most frequent, is next to February, the month in 

 which the greatest number of births takes place throughout the year. 



f No. 5. Apparent Motives of the Crimes of Homicide, Poisoning, and Incendiarism. 



In 1000 crimes 



I. Hatred and revenge 261 



II. Domestic dissension 143 



III. Quarrels at play and in public places 11.3 



IV. To aid in or conceal theft 102 



V. Sudden broils U4 



VI. Local disputes and adverse interests 80 



VII. Adultery 64 



VIII. Debauchery 53 



IX. To secure the succession to property 26 



X. To obtain insurance premiums 25 



XI. Disappointed love and refusals of marriage 20 



XII. Jealousy 16 



1000 



