NOTES ON THE POPULATION OE NEW ENGLAND. 247 



the former, and rather less than fifteen per cent, of the latter. 

 In 1830, there were fourteen and a half per cent, of males under 

 ten years, and the same number of females under ten years ; in 

 1850, there were thirteen and a half per cent, of the former, and 

 rather less than fourteen per cent, of the latter. This difference 

 on the whole Union is striking enough, and confirmative of my 

 opinions ; but I am certain that if we had any such statistics as 

 to the present number of children in New England, compared with 

 forty years since, we would find the difference far more remark- 

 able." 



The second point in proof of the physical degeneracy of New Eng- 

 land, is found in the prevalence of insanity and idiocy among its 

 inhabitants. 



Let us first look at the statements of the Census on this head, 

 merely premising that, in so far as it is inaccurate, it is so because it 

 understates the matter. Erom this source it would appear that 

 in 1840, the ratio of white insane persons in Massachusetts was 

 as 1 to 605 ; in 1850, it was as 1 to 403. In 1840, the ratio of 

 white insane persons in Connecticut was as 1 to 606 ; in 1850, 

 it was as 1 to 486. In 1840, the ratio of white insane persons 

 in Maine was as 1 to 932 ; in 1850, it was as 1 to 514. In 1840, 

 the ratio of white insane persons in Ehode Island was as 1 to 520 ; 

 in 1850, it was as 1 to 449. In 1840, the ratio of white insane 

 persons in Vermont was as 1 to 732 ; in 1850, it was as 1 to 366. 



From these figures it is certain, either that mental disease is on 

 the increase, or else that the Census of 1840 was singularly imperfect. 

 Leaving this question, however, I shall now state, as by the Census 

 of 1851, the ratio of insane and idiotic in the New England, as 

 compared with some other States : 



" Massachusetts had, in 1850, 1 insane or idiotic white person, for every 403 

 sane whites. That same year, the ratio of insane or idiotic whites, to sane whites, 

 wa3— in Michigan, 1 to 1,242; in Mississippi, 1 to 1,227 ; in Missouri, 1 to 1,031. 

 Connecticut had, in 1850, 1 insane or idiotic white for every 486 sane whites. — 

 That same year, the ratio of insane or idiotic whites to sane whites was — in Colum- 

 bia, 1 to 1.C49 ; in Florida, 1 to 1,276 ; in Illinois, 1 to 1,417 ; in Iowa, 1 to 1,410. 

 Maine had, in 1850, 1 insane or idiotic white for every 514 sane whites. That 

 same year, the ratio of insane or idiotic whites was — in Arkansas, 1 to 995 ; in 

 Louisiana, 1 to 1,022 ; in New York, 1 to 738. Rhode Island had, in 1850, 1 in- 

 sane or idiotic white, for every 449 sane whites. That same year, the ratio of 

 insane or idiotic whites, to sane whites, was — in Texas, 1 to 1,185; in Wisconsin, 

 1 to 2,087 ; in Minnesota, 1 to 3,019 ; in New Mexico, 1 to 1,118. In 1850, Ver- 

 mont had 1 insane or idiotic white for every 366 sane whites. That same year, 

 the ratio of insane or idiotic whites, to sane whites, was — in Oregon, 1 to 1,454; 

 and in Utah, 1 to 1,888." 



