240 WEIGHTS OF THE MEMBERS. 



were born in the different States of New England. Most 

 of the persons elected are in the prime of life, there being 



Under 30 years of age, ... 13 



Between 30 and 40 .. 39 



40 and 50 .... 40 



50 and 60 .... 24 



60 and 70 .... 8 



A list, published by order of the Assembly, from 

 which I have condensed the above particulars, gives 

 also the weight of each member in pounds. I have no 

 doubt the column of weights must have a significance in 

 the eyes of the members themselves, or of their consti 

 tuents, otherwise it would not have been published. I 

 find the heaviest member weighs 272 lb., and the 

 lightest 110 ; but it would savour of impertinence to 

 suppose that their weight in pounds had anything to do 

 with the character of their speeches, with their influence 

 in the house, or with the estimation in which they are 

 held by their constituents. The truth is, I believe, that 

 to persons at a distance, who have not the opportunity 

 of seeing a man in person, a knowledge of his age, his 

 extraction, and his weight, gives the means of forming 

 a more clear and definite idea of his personal appearance 

 than almost any other data could do. A man s weight 

 tells far more as to personal appearance than height 

 does. Hence, in speaking of the properties of horses, a 

 common question in this country is, not how many hands 

 high is it, but how many pounds does it weigh. This 

 sounds odd to us at first ; but a little practice in judging 

 of horses by their weight, in connection with other 

 qualities, enables us to form very clear ideas as to the 

 appearance of an animal, what he is fit for, and whether 

 we need to inquire more after him. In reading debates, 

 which almost every elector in the State does, it is 

 natural that a desire should arise to know something of 

 the personal appearance of a favourite or dreaded 



