of population in Europe and America, 145 
The facts thus far stated are admitted by the leading statisti- 
cians and political economists of the day, ignorant as they seem 
of much of the evidence soon to be brought forward, and of the 
conclusion to which the whole matter directly and with almost - 
mathematical exactness may be prov ved to 
n France,” remarks De Jonnés, “ the fetaaiey of the people 
is sha within the strictest limits 
rate of increase of the Hae population,” says Mill, 
“is this one in Kurope. The number of births not increasing 
at all, while the proportion of births to the population is consid- 
erably diminishing. 
turn now to this country, to the commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. 
In the state of Massachusetts, it has been —_ of late years 
that the increase of the e population, or the excess of the births 
over the deaths, has been wholly of those of warty foreign origin.t 
This in 1850, and asserted of the state at large. In 1853, “it 
is evident that the births within the eniaionwolliie with the 
depends upon the American and native element and in the ab- 
sence of the existing immigration anc abroad, the population 
of Massachusetts is stationary or decreasing. This is shown also 
ba latin even if we allow the Sitsigih element to enter the 
cu 
In e population of Massachusetts was by census 
#04685, and ri births were 27,664: in 1855 they were 32,845 
population 1,132,369. The proportion of births to the 
Sebel was therefore 1 to 36 in 1850, and in 1855 1 to 34; 
a ratio much smaller ‘a that obtaining in most countries of 
oar” and but little over that of France, which in 1850 was 1 
“This result,” remarks Dr. Chickering, page 49 of the pamph- 
let just quoted, “ will doubtless surprise many, who will hardly 
think it possible. Is it general or is it accidental? If it be gen- 
eral, how has it happened? What causes have been in opera- 
tion to produce it? How isit to be accounted for?” These ques- 
tions have hitherto been unanswered. 
rease in the births of a nation, its lessened rate of increase, 
* Eléments de Statistique, p. 1 
+ Principles of Polit, Economy, a ‘pp. 343 
} Chickering: Comparative View of the ipellioa of Bostoa. 1850. City 
nt, N& 60, p 
§ 12th actasasies Be rt to the Legislature of Massachusetts, 1853, p. 116. 
| The present satiate od others subsequently pre noone Ihave ane gg: com 
the fourteen published Registration Reports of the State 
Concerning New York I have drawn from a series of al reper Bly 
nished me by ths prmesc City Inspector, Mr. Geo. W. Morton 
