Ch. viii. in England. 401 



S' 



proportion of marriages than is to be found in 

 any of the countries which have been examined, 

 except Norway and Switzerland. 



In the earlier part of the last century, Dr. Short 

 estimated this proportion at about 1 to 115.* It 

 is probable that this calculation was then correct; 

 and the present diminution in the proportion of 

 marriages, notwithstanding an increase of popu- 

 lation more rapid than formerly, owing to the 

 more rapid progress of commerce and agricul- 

 ture, is partly a cause, and partly a consequence, 

 of the diminished mortality observed of late 

 years. 



The returns of the marriages, pursuant to the 

 late act, are supposed to be less liable to the sus- 

 picion of inaccuracy than any other parts of the 

 registers. 



Dr. Short, in his New Observations on Town 

 and Country Bills of Mortality, says, he will 

 " conclude with the observation of an eminent 



the obscurity in which it had been so long involved, and have 

 afforded some very valuable data to the political calculator. At the 

 same time it must be confessed that they are not so complete as 

 entirely to exclude reasonings and conjectures respecting the in- 

 ferences which are to be drawn from them. It is earnestly to be 

 hoped that the subject may not be suffered to drop after the pre- 

 sent effort. Now that the first difficulty is removed, an enumeration 

 every ten years might be rendered easy and familiar ■ and the 

 registers of births, deaths and marriages might be received every 

 year, or at least every five years. I am persuaded, that more 

 inferences are to be drawn respecting the internal state of a 

 country from such registers than we have yet been in the habit of 

 supposing. 



* New Observ. on Rills of Mortality, p. 265. 8vo. 1750. 



VOL. I. D D 



