266 LIGHT SCIENCE FOIl LEISURE HOURS. 



We know that tlie inference is absurd in each of 

 the above instances, and we are able at once to show 

 where the flaw in the reasoning lies. We know that 

 splendid flowers are more commonly selected for hous- 

 ing, and that Life Guardsmen are chosen for their tall- 

 ness, so that we are prevented from falling into the 

 mistake of ascribing splendor of color in the one 

 instance, or tallness in the other, to the influence of 

 causes which have nothing whatever to do with those 

 attributes ; nor is any one likely to ascribe the lon- 

 gevity of our nobility to the possession of a title. Yet 

 there is nothing in any one of the above inferences 

 which is in reality more unsound than Dr. Stark's 

 inference from the mortality bills, when the latter are 

 considered with due reference to the principles of in- 

 terpretation which statisticians are bound to follow. 



The fact is, that in dealing with statistics the utmost 

 care is required in order that our inferences may not 

 be pushed beyond the evidence afforded by our facts. 

 In the present instance, we have simply to deal with 

 the fact that the death-rate of unmarried men is 

 higher than the death-rate of married men and widow- 

 ers. From this fact we cannot reason as Dr. Stark 

 lias done to a simple conclusion. All that we can do 

 is to show that one of three conclusions must be 

 adopted-: Either matrimony is favorable (directly or 

 indirectly) to longevity, in a degree sufficient wholly 

 to account for the observed peculiarity ; or a principle 



