International Statistical Uniformity. 89 



Every such accession would not only induce others to enter 

 the combination, but also render it more difficult for them to 

 persist in a policy which might rapidly become one of isolation. 

 This opens a prospect of establishing unanimity amongst 

 nations, in a comparatively short period — statistically speak- 

 ing — in the foremost direction in which it has to be secured. 

 The next point for consideration is the form in which 

 international statistics should be issued. Each country has 

 its own method of compilation. In fact, in every branch of 

 this " method" or " science" the systems of each country have 

 (like Topsy) " growed," and bear little resemblance to each 

 other. Some issue ponderous publications, apparently bound 

 together at haphazard, where each return has no connection 

 with the one on either side of it, but an intimate association 

 with several others scattered promiscuously throughout the 

 whole work. Others issue " parts" containing prepared 

 tables, with a special report in a separate volume. In a third 

 case blue books, arranged in sections, in which the tables 

 and explanatory letterpress accompany each other as closely 

 as possible, are published. These systems are all too 

 cumbersome for our purpose. The first system may be 

 excluded from consideration at once. No one who has ever 

 had to examine " Lords' Papers" would ever wish to see it 

 perpetuated in any other publication. It would simply 

 render utterly confusing those returns which are at present 

 simple and orderly in arrangement. In the last two con- 

 siderable difficulties have to be overcome. In the first of 

 them summary tables would have to be prepared, in which 

 the various headings at the top and the divisions enumerated 

 down the left-hand column would be subject to mutual 

 agreement by the various countries entering into combina- 

 tion. A fatal difficulty in the way of adopting this method 

 lies in the fact that the nomenclature to be mutually 

 assented to would be doubled, with a corresponding decrease 

 in any probability of agreement. To the last, or blue book, 

 plan there are several objections. It would have to contain 

 a small table for each subdivision, accompanied by explana- 

 tory notes. It would necessitate a very considerable altera- 

 tion in almost every system of compilation at present 

 in force. Every statist would strenuously object .to the 

 havoc it would cause amongst his pet creations. As no two 

 countries have even similar main divisions, confusion would 

 result, and the difficulties of comparison hardly be over- 

 come. It would be inconvenient for the general inquirer. 



