TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 211 



in every 1000, whilst the number calculated by the theory -svonld be 153 in every 

 1000. At all the other intervals the calculated and estimated numbers in eighteen 

 different groups were almost equally near. 



Comparisons are given by M. Quetelet of the measurements of the statues of 

 ancient art, and of those in the rules laid down by the greatest artists or ^s-riters 

 on the proportions of man. All the measures tend to establish the fact that the 

 proportions of the human form of the present day are almost identical with those 

 deduced by observation from the most regular statues of Grecian art. 



The application of the law is also shown by th'e close approximation in the 

 observed and calculated numbers of conscripts for France, Belgium for 20 years 

 of observation, and in Italy for those at 21 years of age, as well as by two sets of 

 observations in the United States. In the three former countries the mean height 

 observed was nearly the same ; but in the United States it was higher by 6 or 8 

 centimetres, though this was partly accounted for by the Volimteers there being 

 of a more mature age. 



A further example is given in a comparison of the measurements of the circum- 

 ference of the chests of Scottish and American soldiers, the mean of the former 

 being 40 inches, at which the observed numbers were 188, and the calculated num- 

 ber would be 199 in every 1000 ; and the mean of the latter was 35 inches, at 

 which the observed mmiber was 204, and the calculated number by theory would 

 be 190 in every 1000. The law applies equally to the weight, strength, and other 

 physical qualities of man. 



The extension of this method of obseiwation to the actions of man, which are 

 dependent on the exercise of his free will, indicate in the clearest manner that, 

 however imperceptibly to the casual obsei-ver, they follow certain laws which are 

 as regular in their operation as the law of mortality. Thus, in five consecutive 

 quinquennial periods, from 1840 to 1865, the marriages of men at certain groups of 

 ages throughout life, with women at the same or other groups of ages, very slightly 

 differed from the mean of the same groups for the whole period of twenty-five 

 years. The same results may be seen m a still more marked manner in England, 

 by comparing the marriages of men at every group of successive five years of age 

 from tinder 20 to 85, with women at those groups of ages in the three years 1846, 

 1847, and 1848 with the three years 1851, 1852, and 1853. The near approxima- 

 tion of the numbers at every age in the two periods is most remarkable, especially 

 if they are subdivided into marriages of bachelors with spinsters or widows, and 

 of widowers with spinsters or widows. 



Other statistics illustrating the regidarity of action in the free will of man, are 

 those showing the tendencj' to crime at particular ages, and even the nature of 

 crimes which seem to vary against person, or against property according to the age 

 of the criminal. The object of this paper is to point out the true scientific method 

 of collecting and comparing statistics, to draw attention to the remarkable Tables 

 of M. Quetelet, showing the law of the growth of man, and of the proportions of 

 the various parts of his body at everj' age of life, and further to urge that the same 

 method of investigation should be extended to the many questions affecting his 

 moral and intellectual faculties which at present are not considered to be within 

 the compass of statistical research. 



Chi the Wellington Reformatory. By Sheriff Cleghoen. 



On a proposed Doomsday Booh, giving the Value of the Governmental Property 

 as a basis for a sound system of National Finance and Accounts. By F. 

 P. Fellows, F.S.S. 



The author described the present method of voting and accounting for the na- 

 tional expenditm-e, amounting to about £70,000,000 yearly, and maintained that 

 there was a great incompleteness in the accounts, which could not be rectified till 

 a Doomsday Book, giving the value of the National Governmental property, was 

 compiled. This must necessarily be the basis of any sound system of national 

 finance and accounts, as, without it, expenditure for capital and for the cuiTcnt pur- 



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